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Chapter Text

Val blinked twice. Empty bottles of wine and rum littered the beach. He had been sure that these were the last of his days, marooned on a deserted island that was little more than a glorified sandbar. It was too far out to swim back to shore, no food, no fresh water. The prison rags he still wore offered little protection against the elements. His torso was exposed entirely, his bare feet cut and blistered, his skin burnt and peeling over the dark ink of his tattoos that crawled up his arms and crossed his back. He took a small comfort in knowing he’d die of exposure before he’d starve to death. He’d spent an age sitting on the craggy outcrop of rock, beneath a withering juniper tree – the lone source of shade on the small beach, staring out at the ocean, thumbing the cork of his last bottle of rum. 

He’d heard the boat scrape across the sand over the sound of the surf, and he was certain that dehydration and hunger had his mind playing tricks on him; he had to be hallucinating. Or perhaps that last bottle of Rotmeth had been a little off after all. There was no other explanation for why a Breton woman would be approaching him on the beach of this deserted island.

He squinted into the light as she drew closer, his brow furrowed. If his mind were to imagine someone, he would have conjured up an image closer to his normal tastes. She was a little too slight, drowning in an oversized tunic, that he’d describe as well-worn if he was being considerate. Her honey brown hair was tied back messily, and her cheeks were flush, either from exertion or stung to a rosy hue by the wind. 

“Are you Captain Serano?” The woman asked, stopping just short of where he sat in his drunken stupor. Her voice was soft and light, almost lost in the wind. 

“Depends on who’s askin’.” Val shook his head and tried to stand up, only to be greeted with a sharp stabbing sensation in the side of his skull. He winced; this had to be a dream.

 “I’m Aelyn Ravenspire, and I’m looking for the captain of the Dark Rose.” She crossed her arms, looking down at him.  

“Well, you found him or what’s left of him.” Val groaned as he stood up, swaying slightly. He looked a mess, his dark blonde locks were disheveled and unkempt, blown about by the wind, and it had been a few weeks since he’d had a decent shave. Still, his green eyes assessed the woman keenly as she tried to tear her gaze away from his bare chest to look him in the eyes. Val smirked as he watched the rosy hue of her cheeks spread across her features. Good to know his physique hadn’t wasted away too badly over the last few weeks. He flexed his arms and shifted on his feet, trying not to grin as her eyes tracked the movement once more. She cleared her throat before she spoke. 

 “Your crew mutinied against you?” She asked without any preface. Val looked over her shoulder at the small boat that had been pulled ashore. He could knock her out and take the boat. He considered it for a moment, why throw away valuable resources? She was obviously capable enough to track him down; perhaps he could stretch her utility a little farther. His mind was already four steps ahead; he needed to play this right. If he did, he’d have had a clean slate in Solitude at least and then…  

“That’s a matter of opinion.” He scoffed. Mutiny. Right. His crew hadn’t mutinied, it’d been a hostile takeover engineered by his First Mate and his predecessor. Aelyn was silent for a moment, looking down at the ground, almost an expression of guilt if he didn’t know any better. 

 “I have a job if you want it.” She shifted on her feet, and he was caught off guard by the striking blue of her eyes. Clear and deep, like the open sea – a thousand secrets hidden in their depths, but shot through with an orange-gold streak. Odd. She was half-elven then; he noted the pointed tips to her ears. Something like guilt tickled the pit of his stomach, but he ignored it. He’d drown out his guilt over using her later, when he was free, along with the rest of his regrets.

“What kind of job?” Val watched her carefully. He was almost taken aback when a genuine smile bloomed across her face, and she chuckled. She wasn’t his type, not by a long shot, but there was something in how she carried herself that drew him in. He’d need to be careful. 

“We can discuss the particulars in a more…” Aelyn glanced around them, “Ammeniable location if you like.” 

 “I just want to get off this damn rock. Wherever you’re going is fine by me.” Val scratched the scruff that had grown thick on his jaw over the past few weeks, eager to get back to civilization. 

“I thought you might feel that way,” Aelyn said with a grin, heading back to the small dinghy grounded on the beach. 
 

The Winking Skeever was as crowded and noisy as ever. Val pushed his golden locks back, finally feeling a little more human after getting a good shave and a bath. He was more than a little suspicious of this Aelyn Ravenspire, but he wasn’t going to complain. She’d rescued him from being marooned, helped him get clean clothes, and had them put up at the inn for the night. All of that for a job seemed a bit much. 

It was suspicious, but he didn’t care; he’d clear his name and be days away before she was ever any wiser. The job offer did intrigue him, though, perhaps he could work it all out in his favor. He needed some quick cash anyway, all his funds were otherwise tied up or inaccessible to him at the moment. 

“Some people would call you a pirate, you know.” Aelyn sat across from him, taking stock of his appearance in an almost clinical way. 

“People say a lot of things, most of them wrong.” Val grinned charmingly, “I’m a Relic Hunter. Certain items are very profitable with the right buyer.”

“And those items are… legal?” She lifted a brow, and it made him smile broadly. 

“My buyers don’t ask a lot of questions, as long as I can deliver.” He leaned in closer and added conspiratorially, “And I always deliver.” He winked, even though it was obvious he was hinting that she was asking too many questions herself. 

“So, you steal things, and then you smuggle them.” Aelyn clasped her hands in front of her on the table and watched his reaction carefully. She wasn’t sure why he was trying to convince her he wasn’t a known pirate, as if every port didn’t know the name Serano from Solitude to the Summerset Isles. 

“It’s not stealing if they don’t have an owner.” He leaned forward, lacing his fingers together on the table before him, mirroring her. “And I couldn’t care less about protecting the East Empire Trading Company’s profit margins on shipping the exact same thing.” Aelyn looked skeptical; the noble pirate and vigilante routine wasn’t going over as well as he’d hoped.

“Why did your crew turn against you?” She sat back, increasing the distance between them, as she crossed her arms over her chest. Val shrugged, also sitting back, her body language was closed off. He’d have to work harder at charming her, so he mirrored her space to make her feel more comfortable. He swept his hands out in an open gesture, palms up, non-threatening as he inched closer. His deep green eyes met her gaze with a smile. 

“Why does anyone betray anyone?” He sighed, sounding forlorn, “Gold. They thought they could get more than I was giving them.” He frowned, letting the sadness seep into his expression. Did he want her pity? No. Would he use her pity? Yes. He glanced up when she sighed, watching intently as she chewed her lip. “We had sailed together for a long time. My first mate and I had been shipmates since we were boys. I thought we were friends.” He cast his gaze down at the table, intently studying the wooden grain while he let his words sink in. 

“I’m sorry. That must be hard.” She looked genuine, but Val shook his head. 

“I knew better. I just… Hoped differently.” He wiped non-existent tears from his eyes and took a steadying breath before looking up at her once more. “So, about this job…”

“I need help finding a relic.” Aelyn finally said. “While some would call you a pirate, and I’m inclined to believe them… I’ve also heard you’re the best at finding lost treasures.” She handed Val a folded piece of paper, which he took in hand and immediately opened; it was an advertisement for some museum opening in Solitude.  

 “You’re looking for a lost treasure?” Val sat back in his chair, watching the Breton smile like a cat across from him. 

 “Ah, well, treasures. I work for the Dragonborn Gallery and am contracted to find lost relics for the museum curator, Auryen Morellus. While my current assistant is quite knowledgeable, we require some additional support. Someone with a little more… Skill.” Aelyn tapped her fingers in front of her. “I’m offering twenty percent of everything we make.”

“Twenty percent?” Val repeated. It was a generous offer; he’d be a fool not to take it, but the eagerness in her eyes told him that he could work her over for a little more. “What about hazard pay? We are talking about relic hunting, so I imagine you understand what that entails. Ancient ruins, underground caves, traps, Falmer…” He started to list them off and paused, raising his brow in question to see if he needed to continue. 

 “Twenty percent,” Aelyn repeated, then rolled her eyes and added, “plus hazard pay.”

“Who is this assistant of yours? Where are they?” Val glanced around as if they would suddenly appear and introduce themselves. 

“We’ll meet up with her soon; she’s in Markarth doing some background research for our next expedition.” Aelyn smiled in thanks to the barmaid who dropped off their dinner and refilled their drinks. 

“And what is your next expedition, praytell?” Val leaned forward, his excitement getting the better of him. This sounded like fun. He was again assessing Aelyn, letting an endearing smirk deepen the corner of his mouth. If anything, he could take their job out from under them and sell whatever it was for twice the profit. It was then that he noticed a certain glint in her eyes. 

 “That depends. Are you taking the job?” Aelyn smiled benignly right back at him, unaffected. This was business, and there was no way the pirate was going to charm her into revealing her next big haul before he signed their contract. 

He’d moved too quickly, and she had caught on to his antics. Val let his smirk grow. Maybe doing the job together wouldn’t be so bad; he might even manage a few extra perks if he played his cards right.

“If I’m putting my life on the line for this, I’m going to need at least forty percent,” Val announced as if it were a perfectly reasonable demand. He knew it was outrageous, but that wasn’t the point.

“Forty percent?” Aelyn scoffed, and when he didn’t budge, she stared at him in shock. 

“Plus hazard pay.” He added after a moment of silence, smiling confidently. 

 “Twenty-five.” Aelyn conceded, biting the inside of her cheek, convinced he was out of his mind thinking he’d get forty percent of anything.

 “Thirty-five.” Val tapped the table. “With hazard pay and expenses.”

 “Twenty-five percent with hazard pay.” She narrowed her eyes at Val. She wasn’t budging. 

 “Plus expenses.” He was pressing his luck, and he knew it by the hardness in her eyes.

“Only expenses required for the expedition. I’m not picking up your bar tab.” Aelyn huffed.

“Deal,” Val kept that carefully curated smile in place as he spoke. His curiosity was piqued; he wanted to know about this expedition and why she had sought him out specifically. The smile he found forming on his lips was genuine.  

 “I thought you might agree.” Aelyn reached into the satchel attached to her belt and pulled out a folio. Val’s brow rose; she had come prepared. He didn’t like that she had known he would agree. His eyes narrowed as she passed the folio to him, his smile vanishing. “Terms and conditions for this job.” He opened the contract and began to read through it. 

 “In the event of accidental death, remains and earnings will be forwarded to a party of the individual’s choosing prior to the start of employment. Charming.” Val sighed. Was she planning to have him killed then? She wouldn’t be the first to try. He held out his hand for a pen to sign the agreement, which Aelyn promptly supplied, already primed with ink. He quickly signed the contract and handed it back to Aelyn, who smiled broadly. “Now, will you tell me what we’re looking for?”

“Something called the Aetherium forge.” Aelyn slid a book toward him titled ‘The Aetherium Wars’. 

“Aetherium? Those nifty bits of blue glass? You know you can’t use them for anything, right? They’re pretty much worthless.” Val bent his brows in confusion. 

“As just little bits of broken glass, yes. We’re setting off for Markarth in the morning, so handle whatever affairs you have left to settle so we can leave on time.” Aelyn went to stand but paused when Val sat up straighter. 

“About that-” He smiled a little sheepishly. Here it was, had he roped her in enough to get her to help him? “There is a small matter I could use your assistance with, that really needs to be taken care of before I skip town.” 

“Oh, right!” She sat back down quickly, and Val frowned, finding her reaction odd. She didn’t seem surprised or suspicious at all. “What sort of small matter?” Aelyn asked flatly, sitting back down. 

“I’m still a wanted man in Solitude. I’d like to clear my name before we leave.” He leaned back in his chair once more, assessing her reaction. She nodded, waiting for him to continue. “We’d better talk to Captain Aldis first thing, before I get arrested again.”

“They think you stole something?” Aelyn let her hands rest on the table once more, leaning in to hear him over a sudden rise in chatter in the tavern. 

“Well, technically, I did steal it.” He cleared his throat before continuing, trying to gloss over the finer points of his circumstances. “Listen, it was in a tomb filled with Draugr, and I didn’t think anyone would miss it! Turns out, I was wrong.” 

“How did you end up in prison again?” Aelyn asked, curious. 

“Fathis, that bastard, framed me for theft, and turned my crew against me.” Val let the name go with a bit of a snarl. “ I spent over a month in Solitude’s jail before I escaped.” He felt his blood heat with anger as he spoke. “ And then? The ungrateful bastards left me on that island.” Val looked up to see Aelyn paying rapt attention to his story; he took a deep breath to calm himself and regain his composure. He couldn’t let his anger get the better of him at a time like this. He needed her sympathy and her cooperation. “That’s why I looked so rough when you found me. I wasn’t stuck on that island for very long, fortunately.” Val offered her a smile, letting his knuckles accidentally brush against hers briefly. 

“Wait, let’s just back up a second; your first mate turned you in? For stealing?” She asked confused, as if the information didn’t align in some way. 

“The Blue Palace would’ve never noticed if Fathis hadn’t turned me in.” Val huffed somewhat indignantly, as if the failure somehow lessened his value. 

“Right.” Aelyn hefted a deep sigh. She shouldn’t be surprised. After all, she couldn’t say that these weren’t all the reasons why she tracked him down. “No job is without a catch. Fine. Let’s get your name cleared. Most of my dealings are conducted in Solitude, and I can’t be toting a wanted man around with me. Bad for business.” She stood up, obviously waiting for Val. He gave her a strange look, a raised eyebrow, an assessing eye. 

“Really?” He sounded surprised. 

“Don’t worry, Val. Think of it as an investment on my part.” That little feline smile was back, and he tried not to stare. Unsure of what to make of her, Val followed her out of the Winking Skeever and paused briefly. Something wasn’t sitting quite right with him. He’d never told her Fathis was his First Mate, and she’d brought up his time in prison before he had. His eyes narrowed as he wondered exactly how and why she had come by that information.

Chapter Text

Aelyn stood in the courtyard of Castle Dour, the heavily fortified home of the Imperial Garrison in Skyrim and the City Guard, and gaped at Val Serano. He’d just convinced Captain Aldis of the city guard that he had escaped prison to, in fact, return the relic known as the Star of Solitude, which he had stolen, after his ‘research colleague’ wrote a publication about it, since it was such an important historical discovery. And Captain Aldis, a man Aelyn had known for over a year now, believed him. She was confounded, aghast, completely, and utterly in awe of how easily he’d rattled that off.

“Fine, get your gear and get out of here.” Captain Aldis grumbled as Val beamed and went to retrieve his belongings from Castle Dour. Captain Aldis looked over to Aelyn with his dark brown eyes and shook his head. He was a few years older than her, with dark hair and eyes, unusual for the normally fair-haired Nords of Skyrim. Aelyn assumed he had some Imperial heritage, but had never cared to ask. “How in the world did you get mixed up with that one?”

“I need his help on a job. He might be a scoundrel, but he is good at what he does.” Aelyn shrugged.

“I’m counting on you to make sure he keeps his word.” Aldis shook his head. “I owe you still for taking that awful news about Private Morrard to her mother.”

“Ah, that wasn’t anything you needed to owe me for, Aldis. But we can call it even with this if you insist.” Aelyn said, smiling.

“No, it was something I should have done,” He sighed heavily, “and I just couldn’t bear to break the old woman’s heart.” Aldis frowned. Aelyn glanced up at him just as Val started making his way back over to them. “You should let me buy you a drink.” He added awkwardly, and Aelyn smiled at him in a friendly way. 

“Some other time.” She wasn’t sure how to let him down easily. “I have to ensure my new charge stays out of trouble.”

“I’ll be waiting, then.” Aldis smiled back warmly.

Aelyn left the courtyard with Val, who now had his coat, a warm vanilla leather with deep blue inlays, golden buckles that looked well-polished, and the scaled epaulets shone with a similar sheen. It was thicker, acting as armor for him, save for the length of it that fell to his knees. It had to be a custom work, much like the cutlass and crossbow he also now carried with him. 

“It’s good to have some proper clothes on again.” Val grinned, turning a bright sapphire ring on his finger with what looked like relief. It would have been easy for the little piece of jewelry to be lifted from his belongings, and he was glad to see it had remained safe in storage. Val watched Captain Aldis closely, placing his hand lightly to the small of Aelyn’s back and leading her away from the center of the courtyard. She followed his lead easily, watching him as closely as he’d watched Aldis. Once they passed through the portcullis to the city proper, he gave a surreptitious glance around them. “Let’s find somewhere we can talk.” 

“I can’t believe that worked.” Aelyn shook her head, dumbfounded, as they walked the main road from Castle Dour toward the Blue Palace. 

“Well, if you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, confound them with bullshit.” Val smiled proudly.

“So, what actually is your plan?” Aelyn folded her arms over her chest, hoping to the heavens he had one.

“One step at a time.” He held up a finger to her, making her brow furrow. “First, we need to retrieve the Star of Solitude. I really do have it hidden nearby. Then we need to see a contact of mine about making a copy. Here’s the key to the chest, don’t lose it.” He pressed a brass key into her hand. Aelyn stood looking confused for a moment.

“Why are you-” She began to ask why he had given her a key, but he was already striding away from her. Aelyn ran to keep up, trying to sort out what exactly they were doing as she followed him down to the docks. 

Val led them with a confident grin out of Solitude, in the direction of Brine Water Grotto. The further from the city they travelled, the more suspicious Aelyn became. The buildings disappeared from sight, and pine trees closed in on the road. Finally, he detoured down a worn dirt path toward the water, winding around an outcropping of rock, and stopped at a broken dock. With his hands on his hips, he gestured toward the water.

“Well, there ya go.” He smiled, and it finally dawned on Aelyn why he had given her the key. She was his accomplice, and he wanted her to retrieve the Star. 

“You’re not serious.” She gaped at the water.

“As the grave, my lady.” He said with a little bow.

“Val, I’m not getting in that water.” Aelyn crossed her arms over her chest, and Val continued to smile at her. She was already in league with him, the moment she’d vouched for him, knowing he’d stolen the Star of Solitude, she’d been implicated. “You’re a Nord! You’re the one with the resistance to the cold!” Aelyn argued.

“I’m the one with only one change of clothes.” He countered. Her jaw dropped, she couldn’t believe it, but he was actually serious. “Unless you want to go up to forty percent? Then I could afford to buy something dry after.”

Her glare was venomous as she stripped off her coat and boots. Val looked entirely too pleased with himself as he watched her strip down with a self-satisfied grin. She pulled off her tunic, leaving her in her binder and trousers, before she turned and stomped toward the water, barefoot.

“If I were you, I’d lose the pants too,” he called out to her, smiling congenially. “Unless you want to walk back to Solitude freezing your ass off.”

“Why-am-I-doing-this!” Aelyn hissed at herself as she stripped the rest of the way down, her face burning with embarrassment, the key clutched in her hand. 

She walked to the end of the broken dock and peered into the water, her skin already prickling from the cold. Thankfully, it was still summer, and she wasn’t likely to pass out from the shocking cold of the water. Aelyn dipped her foot in and immediately retracted it.

“Oh-Gods! That’s damned cold!” She tried not to hop while Val stifled a laugh behind her.

“Don’t forget!” He grinned fully, obviously amused. “If you want to go up to forty, I might consider getting the box myself.”

“You’re already getting hazard pay and expenses, and now apparently, a free show.” She yelled over her shoulder, “Don’t push it, Serano.” Aelyn took a deep breath, steeling herself, and then jumped in.

Val shook his head, laughing as she dove in. The icy water stole her breath, crushing her lungs and burning her skin as she tried to blink in the frozen depths. Nestled below the dock, stuck under a broken plank, was a water-tight lock box. She kicked at the water, propelling herself forward. Aelyn fumbled, attempting to move the broken plank, trying to find leverage to pull it up far enough to slide the box out from beneath it, but it wouldn’t budge. She tried again, unable to brace herself properly to pull any harder, the plank still trapping the box beneath it. Aelyn’s fingers sank into the muck as she began to dig below the box, attempting to create a hole she could pull it through, but her lungs were beginning to burn for air. The constricting feeling in her chest made her fingers frantic. She took the key and fumbled with the lock, deciding to simply open it and take the contents. 

Aelyn blinked through the floating sediment, trying to fit the key into the lock. She was out of air, the need to surface to surface had her heart racing with panic when the key finally slid into place. She turned it in the lock, and the lid burst open with little warning, flinging its contents into the water. Aelyn swiped blindly at the water in front of her, trying to catch anything solid. Her finger snagged on a little chain that glinted in the murk. Her body was starting to fight her; she had to surface. Her lungs began to seize as she kicked upward, gasping and sputtering as she broke the surface of the water.

The cold air immediately had her chattering. She pulled her hand out of the water and found she had hooked a dainty necklace of fine silver around her finger. 

“Did you get it? You were down there for a minute; I was starting to get worried.” Val called with a grin from the shoreline. 

“F-f-fuck y-y-you.” Aelyn chattered as she pulled herself out of the water. 

Val didn’t bother to hide the appreciative look in his eyes while she walked up the shore, her wet, small clothes clinging to her frame intimately. He almost couldn’t believe how much her oversized tunic had hidden from view. 

She had a slight build, which he had already assumed, but not unshapely. The defined muscles of her legs and the sharp curve of her waist were worthy of admiration. Her chest wasn’t full, but still strained against her binder. Still, he found her eyes rather striking; enough to transfix a lesser man caught unaware, he was certain. He smiled as she snatched her tunic off the ground and pulled it on. Her fingers wouldn’t stop trembling from the cold as she pulled on her trousers and boots.

“I didn’t think you’d really do it.” Val watched her dress, both amused and impressed.

“Right, because who’s going to jail if we don’t get this back to Aldis?” She snapped, her cheeks flushed as she pulled on her coat, still shivering and twisting her wet hair into a knot. “Oh, that’s right, you are. And I am, for helping you.”

“Okay, okay, calm down. It was just a little insurance.” He gripped her shoulders, forcing her to pause as he took the necklace in hand. The Star of Solitude was a truly unique jewel, radiating a rainbow of color that seemed to emanate from within. It was set in a fine silver casting, so delicate that the gem looked as though it might fall out at any moment despite how perfectly secure it was. The craftsmanship was unparalleled. 

“All this over a piece of jewelry.” Aelyn griped. Val held out the necklace and stepped into her space, so close that she could feel the heat radiating off him. She went stiff as Val unclasped the dainty chain, leaning into her. “W-What are you doing?” She sounded more breathless than she liked. 

“For safekeeping.” He let his voice drop, speaking almost directly into her ear, as he moved to put the necklace on her. “Allow me.” 

His knuckles brushed lightly over her collarbone as he brought the delicate chain up to the hollow of her throat, his touch lightly tracing her skin. His fingertips stroked the nape of her neck as he worked the clasp. Aelyn felt her face begin to burn at the sensation of his breath against her ear, her heart beating irregularly in her chest. His fingers slid along the delicate chain now secured around her neck, and her mouth suddenly went dry. Val stepped back with a satisfied grin. His eyes heated as they fixed on the Star around her neck, feeling like a physical caress as his gaze travelled up the curve of her throat and slowly rose to her face. 

“The Star looks even better on you than I’d imagined.” He admitted softly. Aelyn licked her lips, forgetting how to breathe momentarily. 

“Since when were you imagining that?” The words slipped out, and Sanguine himself would have blushed at the smirk the Pirate suddenly gave her, lust and triumph in equal measure. She quickly cleared her throat and stepped back from him. 

“I gotta say, the view wasn’t half bad when you got out of the water.” He stepped closer, reaching out to pull her back toward him when her glare and sharp tone cut him off.

“Half bad? It better have been glorious for how cold that godsdamned water was.” Aelyn scathed at him, still blushing. Val laughed and shook his head as he somewhat forcefully slung his arm around her shoulders, turning them away from the water. 

“Let’s go see my contact in the city, then I’ll buy you a drink.” He glanced at Aelyn to see her brow furrowed as he marched them back up the path toward the road. “I’d say you’ve earned it.”

“You mean your research colleague?” Aelyn was beginning to understand that Val did very few things without an ulterior motive.

“That’s the one.” He grinned.

The walk back to Solitude felt shorter than the one down to the broken pier. Once inside the city, Val led them to a shop, where a sign with the words ‘Radiant Raiment’ daintily glinted in gold filigree over the door. Aelyn wasn’t sure what she had expected, but the elitist elves who ran the best dress shop in Skyrim weren’t on her list of possible pirate cohorts.

The bell over the door jingled brightly as they entered. The shop was a level of ostentatious that Aelyn had rarely seen. Drapes adorned the stone arches were a deep, rich velvet. All the tables and display cases were made of fine, carved wood and clear, smooth glass. Someone was trying very hard to turn the cold, stone, dungeon-like space into something it wasn’t. A snobbish-looking Altmer woman with golden skin and sharp cheekbones sighed deeply in response to the cheerful jangle of the bell. She had been lazily filing her nails. She tossed her long, almost white-blonde hair over one shoulder as she reluctantly looked up. 

“Oh joy, another charming customer.” She muttered to herself, her golden eyes narrowing at the door. 

“Hello, Endarie,” Val walked into the store with a confidence that could have convinced Aelyn that he owned the place. He went right up to the counter, where he leaned in, smiling charmingly at the Altmer. The woman’s whole aura seemed to change under his charismatic smile. 

“What a delight.” She practically purred. 

“It’s delightful to see you again, too.” His voice dropped in pitch suggestively, “I’ve missed you.” 

“Oh please,” A deep blush turned her aurous skin a rose gold, “You expect me to believe that?” Endarie returned the smile. Aelyn had never felt more invisible, but watched Val carefully, completely enthralled. Even Endarie, who seemed aware of what he was doing, was outright falling for this show he was putting on. “Points for creativity if nothing else.”

“All right, I surrender!” He chuckled, raising his hands, “I wish I could say this was a social call. I need your expertise on a specific item. I’m in a bit of a bind between two parties.” His expression changed only slightly as he got down to business.

“Gold solves most problems, doesn’t it?” Endarie was entranced by his smile, winding her finger around a lock of hair. Aelyn watched the scene play out, baffled by what charm spell Val was using on her.

“Not this time. I need to pull one over on Aldis. Probably the Castle Steward and Court Mage as well.” He turned to Aelyn, a strange look in his eyes as he went to remove the Star of Solitude from around her neck. “Excuse me, sweetheart.” He said quietly. 

She didn’t move, and an odd feeling settled over her. Instead of being in the audience, watching an improvised play, participating in the experience, she was in the stage wings, waiting for the actor to deliver his line from the side. He returned to Endarie and slid the Star across the counter to her. Endarie picked up the trinket, turning it this way and that carefully. She pulled out a set of focusing lenses from beneath the counter and began to examine the artifact in earnest. 

“Alright, alright, I’ll see what I can do. Come back in a day.” She set the lenses down and flashed Val a smile. He thanked her and turned to Aelyn, his hand on the small of her back, leading her out of the store as she stared up at him slack-jawed.

“You should close your mouth before a fly gets trapped in there.” He smirked at her, opening the door for her as they left. 

“How did you do that?” She asked as soon as the door closed behind them.

“What? With Endarie?” Val strolled beside her as they walked across the street to the Winking Skeever.

“Who actually believes that nonsense? How do you get people to go along…” She started to pick it apart in her mind, and Val chuckled.

“I tend to have that effect on people.” He held the door of the inn open for her as she cut him a look. “I talked you into jumping into ice water, didn’t I?”

“I’m considering this whole endeavor as conditions for your employment.” Aelyn quipped as they stood just inside the doorway. “You’re not much use to me in jail at this point in our venture.”

“True, true-” He paused momentarily before pulling her aside. Now that their business concerning the Star was being handled, he was determined to figure out Aelyn’s involvement. She had seemed to know more about him than she let on. “You know, I enjoy an air of mystery as much as the next guy.” He watched as Aelyn’s brow furrowed, wondering what he was getting at. 

“Good for you.” She stepped back from him slightly, craning her head to look up at his face. He was giving her that same smile he’d just used on Endarie; she frowned. Val reached out to tuck a lock of her hair that had fallen free from the knot she’d tied it in behind her ear, lightly brushing the pointed tip with his fingers. He leaned down toward her, stopping when she started to back away and bumped into the wall behind her. “What are you doing?” His smile turned into an amused grin. 

“Nothing, just wondering if I’ll get the chance to tease out some of your secrets.” His touch feathered from where it had begun with the lock of her hair, across her shoulder, and down her arm. She didn’t retreat but looked confused or, more accurately, suspicious. He smiled broadly, finding her response vastly entertaining. He’d been so close to reeling her in down at the broken pier, but she was turning out not to be so easy to catch. Aelyn stood up straight and placed a hand on his chest, which he covered with his own.

“You’ll have to try harder than that, Captain.” She said softly and pushed him back before turning toward the bar. “Though, you do still owe me a drink.” Val lifted his chin, still grinning, following closely behind her. Was he having fun?

Chapter Text

The Winking Skeever was crowded with patrons, and there were few places to sit available. Aelyn was jostled this way and that as they made their way to the bar, silently thankful to Val who had quickly taken the lead and was more or less making a path through the crowd. The bartender, Corpulus, was moving as quickly as he could between customers. Val eventually flagged him down, and instead of ordering two drinks, he bought a whole bottle instead.

 “Let’s find somewhere a little less crowded, yeah?” He held a bottle of spiced wine, lifting two cups from a waiting table set up near the tavern floor. Aelyn nodded gratefully.

 “I wonder why everyone is at the Inn?” She wondered aloud as they left the Winking Skeever.

 “Probably some market day or something.” Val shrugged holding the door open for her. “Let’s head up to the city walls, there’s a spot up there with a great view.” Aelyn’s brows came together as she tilted her head at him. She found herself following along even as a strange sensation started to tug at the edge of her mind. It was easy, following his lead. She didn’t like it. 

Aelyn followed him up the steps to the city ramparts, a fierce wind whipping at them both as they made their way toward the harbor side of the wall. Val flashed a mischievous grin back at her, just before he hoisted himself up onto the rooftop of one of the guard towers. 

 Aelyn was already bracing her foot on the large stones of a parapet as he reached down to help her. She hadn’t been prepared for the shift in weight, her foot slipped, but he was already lifting her like she was nothing. She had to assume that she likely weighed the same as some of the cargo he was used to hauling. She found herself sitting on the rooftop of one of the guard towers, looking out over the harbor toward the ocean. If nothing else, he had been right about the view. Val handed her a cup of wine before pouring one himself and recorking the bottle.

 “You said you do most of your business in Solitude, I’m surprised we haven’t crossed paths before.” He unbuckled the top of his coat, relaxing back a little as he watched her. A guilty look hid in her features as she looked away, pushing her hair back with the direction of the wind so it didn’t whip in her face.

 “Ah, well… About that.” Aelyn cleared her throat somewhat sheepishly. He stared at her wide-eyed for a moment before shaking his head.

 “No way, I’d definitely remember you. We’ve never met before.” He asserted as she sipped her wine.

 “We’ve not had dealings directly, no.” She shifted somewhat uncomfortably; he gave her a curious look. Val did a mental run down, not recalling her name either, Aelyn Ravenspire was one that stuck out somewhat.

 “Then how would we know each other?” Val pressed, suddenly curious. He shifted closer to her, blocking some of the wind.

 “I didn’t say we knew each other. We’ve simply crossed paths in a manner of speaking. Or, more to the point, you robbed us.” Aelyn once again found herself hiding in her cup, not sure how he was going to take this new bit of information.

 “Wait, us? I have questions-” Then it dawned on him, “The museum.”

 “Auryen made the mistake of having some of our shipments sent through Wayrest to get to Solitude by sea rather than deal with the Imperial inspections and delays at the border coming through Pale Pass by land. Quite a few were taken by the Dark Rose.” She shrugged somewhat dismissively.

 “Why in Oblivion would you hire me?” He was confounded, his fingers began to absently thread through her hair once again, and Aelyn started to chuckle, pulling her locks free from his grasp.

 “Come on, Val, I know you’re quicker than that.” She smirked, and he found himself staring. “What better way to keep our shipments safe than to have you steal stuff for us instead of from us?” Oh. Oh. She was smart, he liked that. He liked that a lot.

 The wind was blowing her hair wildly, the setting sun lit up her golden highlights, and he was reminded of the color dark honey would turn as sunlight shone through it. Her eyes were the exact same shade as the glacial waters in the Sea of Ghosts with a streak of vivid orange through each one. The smirk on her face had him leaning in closer. He wanted to kiss it right off of her lips. He could think of worse ways to pass the time. It might have been an added benefit that she seemed the earnest type, and reeling her in would likely garner him a sliver of her loyalty. But if he was being honest, the slight blush on her cheeks was making his train of rational thought stutter. Or maybe it was the wine? Probably not. 

 “So, no hard feelings about this Star of Solitude business?” She was looking him in the eyes, and Val froze.

 “What?” He was selling the Star to a man named Avram, not Aelyn or Auryen.

 When she didn’t say anything but simply bit her lip guiltily, he realized Avram worked for the museum. He knew she wasn’t behind the mutiny that had the Dark Rose’s previous captain’s signature all over it. However, the job, finding him when he was marooned, clearing him with Aldis, all had been her plan. Hadn’t it? She’d pulled one over on him, and he’d have never known if she hadn’t admitted it. He let out a single laugh of astonishment and another, and then he simply couldn’t stop.

 “You got me.” He laughed. “I almost can’t believe it. Well, I’ll admit it, I’m impressed.”

 “You’re not mad?” She had been prepared for his anger at being misled.

 “How can I be? I’d have died on that island if it weren’t for you. I thought it was just blind luck that you found me, but of course, you came looking for me. I was the only one who knew where the Star was.” He was still chuckling to himself.

 “Hm, while the plan was to get you to work for us all along. Saving you from being marooned, think of it more as an investment. I honestly had thought your crew had made off with the Star until that whole show you put on for Aldis.” She finished her cup as the sun began to sink below the horizon. He nodded at her explanation. 

 “That’s how you knew that Fathis was my First Mate.” He grinned, relishing the way she had completely duped him.

 “Hmm? What’s that?” Aelyn suddenly looked concerned. 

 “You slipped up that first day. I never told you Fathis was my First Mate.” Val paused, sipping his wine, grinning. His gaze shifted toward her once more, this time a harder look behind the smile. Suspicion. “So, you really saved me for no reason other than to offer me a job?” That didn’t sit well with him, it didn’t make sense to him.

 “I’ve been in dire straits before, I’m familiar with what that feels like.” Aelyn seemed far away for a moment before she continued, “And I also felt somewhat responsible. I couldn’t have predicted the mutiny, but you were on the job that got you arrested because of me.” Aelyn laughed shaking her head, while he just stared at her. She’d done much more than just happen to find him marooned. Help had been coming all along.

 They made their way back to the Winking Skeever with Val uncharacteristically quiet. He never would have thought in a hundred years, that someone had been coming to help him. She hadn’t really owed him anything, she’d said she felt a little responsible but that was a pretty flimsy excuse. 

Empathy. That’s what had driven her to save him, she said she had been familiar with what it felt like. Lost and devoid of hope, knowing for certain you were going to die in a situation of your own construction, how could she have possibly known what that was like? He found himself hoping she didn’t.

 In the morning, he awoke to a magical smell wafting through the air. A deep, rich aroma penetrated the fog of sleep. He cracked an eye open, letting his senses come back to him, realizing he wasn’t alone in his room. Aelyn was shaking his leg with her boot, standing at the foot of his bed, sipping from a ceramic mug.

 “Is that coffee?” He mumbled and rolled over, gazing at the steaming cup with heavy lidded eyes.

 “Put a shirt on, and I might share.” She sipped the mug again. Val chuckled.

 “What, and cover up my best features?” He grinned as Aelyn rolled her eyes.

 “The sun is barely up, and you’re already at it.” She shook her head, throwing his shirt at him.

 Instead, Val got out of bed in nothing but his briefs and walked over to the chair next to Aelyn, where his pants were hung over the back. His grin widened at her deadpan expression. She snatched the trousers off the chair and threw them at him. Completely unabashed, he pulled them on. Aelyn didn’t turn away but averted her eyes with a slight blush. He didn’t bother with the shirt but instead pulled the mug of coffee from her hands. She moved to step away from him, but he held her still, carefully sipping from the mug so it didn’t spill. 

 “I said shirt first.” She argued, trying to grab the cup back and not stare at the multitude of tattoos that stretched across this form. His muscles bunched and flexed as he pulled her into his side while holding the mug above his head. She blushed.

 “When I’m ready.” He drank deeply with a sigh of satisfaction. “You’re lucky I put pants on.”

 “Right, well, when you’re ready, if you’d like to go to the museum, I’m heading there shortly. I figured you might want to see it because… I don’t know.” She slipped out from under his arm. He watched her retreat to the door. She huffed, giving up on trying not to be completely distracted by his lack of clothing. “I’ll be downstairs.”

 “Aw, well, don’t miss me too much.” He teased.

 “There’d have to be something to miss.” Aelyn shut the door with a little more attitude than necessary.

 The Dragonborn Museum was an impressive construction. There wasn’t much of value on display, but he came to the conclusion that was what Aelyn had been hired for. She seemed a little naïve, but he had to admit, she didn’t mess around when money was on the line, and he could appreciate that. She was smart and resourceful from what he’d seen so far, and her other skills... Well, he was sure they’d made themselves known in time. Val walked up the hallway that led to the museum office, taking in the Cultural Arts exhibits. He stepped up close to a replication of a Hagraven and frowned.

 “So, the good-looking sailor with you was who?” A male voice drifted from the office at the end of the hall. Val grinned and lingered outside listening in on their conversation.

 “For the love of Mara, do not let him hear you saying that.” Aelyn hissed in response.

 “Why? He is. Anyway, I assume he has a name?” The clearly imperial-accented voice countered.

 “His name is Val Serano; I hired him to help on the expedition to the forge. We’ll see how he does. I haven’t decided if I’m going to offer him the full position yet or if he’d even want it. That’s if we get out of Solitude…” Aelyn heaved a sigh.

 “You didn’t just say Val Serano, did you?” The male voice was suddenly on edge. “You realize he’s a known pirate, right? Half the shipments headed here from High Rock were raided by his men.” So, she hadn’t included Auryen in her plans to hire him, interesting.

 “Well, that’s what you get for shipping things through a country owned by corsairs.” Aelyn snapped back. “Besides, he’s also very good at uncovering lost artifacts, and he’s amicable enough, if a little underhanded. I think he’s a good fit. Auryen, don’t look at me like that.”

 “Listen, I’m not judging. I was hiring mercenaries before you came along. I’m just wondering if you’re hiring him for completely altruistic reasons. I also agree that two Breton ladies such as yourselves may face fewer difficulties if you had some…” The male voice, Auryen, trailed off.

 “You were about to say something chauvinistic about having a man with us, weren’t you?” Aelyn accused. “Besides, Remi is the Lady. I’m just a guttersnipe.”

 “Aelyn, you’ve been working with me for two years now. I think I can confidently say you are much more than ‘just a guttersnipe’. You’re a talented and intelligent young woman.” Auryen took on a tone full of pride.

 “Oh goodness, you’re going to give me the sugar sickness.” She quipped sarcastically and chuckled while Auryen huffed out a sigh. “One day, you’ll take a compliment.”

 “This is quite the place you’ve got here.” Val leaned in the doorway, deciding his time on eavesdropping was up.

 Aelyn was sitting at a bench, working with a small brush on a dirt-encrusted object. She looked up with surprise as he made his presence known. The other person in the room was an Altmer man. His golden blonde hair was nearly the same shade as his skin, making his violet and orange eyes stand out sharply against it. His brow was smooth and tall in a typical Altmer way but was still very pleasing and fit well with the rest of his face. He was roughly the same height as Val, though his build was slim.

 “Why thank you, I assume you’re Aelyn’s new partner?” Auryen approached with his hand extended.

 “The very same. You must be Auryen.” Val shook his hand with a smile.

 “Aelyn speaks very highly of you, Captain Serano. She’s assured me your abilities are unmatched. I do look forward to working with you.” Auryen started to get drawn into that charming smile while Aelyn, still seated at her bench, watched yet again with fascination.

 “Oh, please, just call me Val. And does she now? Here I was thinking that I hadn’t been able to showcase my best skills yet.” Val winked in her direction, and she both blushed, turning back to her work. “I did notice that your section on Ancient Nordic cultures was a little light.”

 “Yes, well, we had more Dwemer artifacts at our disposal. My current partner and I met while investigating Nchuand-Zel. The Dwarven Spiders on display came from that ruin.” Aelyn supplied.

 “Ah, we should have some more luck with the Nordic ruins soon, though, I hope. There are a few leads in the works. Once Aelyn can look into them, the section should expand significantly.” Auryen nodded. “In any case, I hate to cut us short, but there are many things that need cataloging in the library. Hopefully, the next time you’re here, the Guest house will be completed, and we can give you a proper tour.”

 “Guest house?” Val approached Aelyn’s workbench, eyeing the item in her hands.

 “Yes, we offer housing to our staff. It will be a very well-appointed expansion once it’s complete, perhaps nice enough to draw Remi away from Markarth and back to Solitude. Until next time, then, it was a pleasure meeting you.” Auryen disappeared through the library doors. Aelyn sat in silence, using a small pick to pry away a particularly stubborn layer of debris from the artifact she was focused on.

 “What’s this you’re working on?” Val peered over her bench, getting a better look at the stone. An ancient depiction of a snake was carved into the stone with ebony and bronze relief. “Ah, that’s Orkey, isn’t it? One of the Nordic testing Gods? Where’d you pick this up?” Aelyn looked up at him, somewhat surprised.

 “I investigated some roadside ruins on the way here from Markarth. I figured it was worth displaying. What do you know about Orkey?” She set down her tools and gave him her undivided attention.

 “He’s one of the three Testing Gods, supposedly he cursed the Atmorans with short life spans,” Val said simply. “It was said that Atmorans lived as long as Altmer at one point.”

 “Did you know he was originally an Aldmeri god? During Aldmeri occupation of Atmora, he was introduced to the pantheon as an enemy god. Many believe he’s a synergistic representation of Arkay and Xarxes.” Aelyn pressed her fingers together.

 “Did you say Xarxes? Wasn’t he a servant of Hermaeus Mora?” Val suddenly seemed stiffer than his usual easygoing self.

 “There are more than a few references to such an instance. Many of those same references state that he was also once a mortal man, making this stupid ban on Talos worship even more laughable.” She paused, a strange look on her face. “Are we having an academic discussion?”

 “Oof, I hope not.” He laughed a little. “You know, I bet Endarie has finished up with our Star by now. Do I just skip the middleman now a turn it over to you?” Aelyn laughed.

 “You’re worried you’re not going to get paid, aren’t you?” She grinned; he shrugged his shoulders. “Yes, we can just bring it back here to Auryen; he’ll pay you.”

 Once their business with Endarie had been concluded and Aelyn handed the fake Star of Solitude over to Aldis, they had to drop the real one off with Auryen. He seemed more assured at having Val on board after the Star was in his hands. The sun was setting, and the lamps along the streets were being lit as they made their way back to the Winking Skeever for one more night.

 “You know, I was going to apologize for dragging you into my mess, but I’m kind of glad for it.” Val began, catching Aelyn’s eyes and turning toward her. “I owe you. This expedition you have lined up aside, if you ever have need of me, for any reason, I’m yours.”

 Aelyn looked at him for a moment, her heart suddenly racing. The expression he was showing her wasn’t one of the many she’d seen him throw out over the past few days. He looked… Earnest. Suddenly, the cool night air felt stifling. Her words failed her, and she knew she had to say something.

 “I… Need a drink.” She squeaked. He looked like he wanted to laugh at her pitchy response but instead, wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

 “Then let’s get you a drink.” He still couldn’t seem to figure her out.

 Two bottles of brandy in, Aelyn was feeling overwarm. She’d pulled off her jacket, her hair had fallen out of the knot she’d wrapped it in, and she was pleasantly drunk. Val was watching her with an amused expression as she hummed to herself, twisting the empty bottle this way and that on the table.

 “So, do you have any hobbies other than running around and saving men on deserted islands?” Val sipped his drink.

 “Hmm? Well, yes, I like restoring artifacts, reading, I taught myself how to knit.” She started to list, she was much more relaxed with a few drinks in her.

 “Knitting? You’re messing with me.” A smirk snuck its way across his lips from the corner of his mouth.

 “Well, I gotta do something to entertain myself. It’s been getting so difficult to find marooned pirates to rescue these days.” Aelyn started to roll the bottle on its rim, Val couldn’t help but bark out a laugh.

 “Somehow I think you’ve got a few more talents than knitting.” He regarded her for a moment, her cheeks were flushed from the alcohol, her eyes a little glazed.

 “Hmm, wouldn’t you like to know? I’ll tell you if you can guess.” Aelyn laughed.

 “Oh?” He leaned forward suddenly enticed by her tone. “Do I get any hints?”

 “Well, I can do more than make a sweater with a knitting needle.” She grinned.

 “Hmm.” Val tapped his chin thoughtfully. “What would I do with a knitting needle if I wasn’t knitting?” He asked aloud, and a look of understanding flashed across his face. “You’re a thief.” Aelyn started to laugh again.

 “Not for a long time, but yes. I can pick a lock, a pocket, whatever you like.” She leaned forward on the table as well.

 “So, what do you need me for, then? Surely, not just decoration, though I could understand if that were the case.” The smug look on his face was more than enough to make Aelyn roll her eyes.

 “I need someone with experience. Remi is talented but not always up to the task of keeping us safe. We aren’t sure what dangers are ahead of us and I want another set of capable hands.” Aelyn said in a conspiratorial whisper.

 “Well,” Val couldn’t help himself, “I think you’ll find that I’m quite experienced, and my hands are more than capable.” Aelyn blushed.

 “Flirt.” She accused, shaking her head, and leaning back in her chair with a yawn. “I’m sure I’m going to love the ride to Markarth tomorrow while I’m hung over.” She gave a derisive laugh before continuing, “I think it’s time I went to bed.” Aelyn pushed back her chair and went to stand up. The brandy that had her feeling pleasantly fuzzy a moment prior hit her all at once, causing her to stumble out of her chair. She steadied herself against the wall, while the room spun and tilted slightly.

 “You should have told me you were a lightweight.” Val stood up, pulling her toward him so he could help her up the stairs to her room.

 “I didn’t realize two bottles of brandy was ‘lightweight’.” She leaned into him, letting him help her up the steps. She inhaled deeply, he smelled really good, though she couldn’t place it. Val tilted his head and then nodded conceding that she was likely right by normal standards. When they reached the landing, he leaned her against the doorway to her room.

 “Are you going to be alright?” He pushed her hair away from her face, his fingertips brushing over her cheekbones as he did so.

 “You know, I still don’t understand how that charm of yours works on people. You really had Endarie and Aldis eating right out of your hand, even Auryen was sucked in.” Aelyn mused, still holding onto his jacket. Val chuckled and opened the door to her room.

 “If you weren’t drunk, I’d give you a demonstration of exactly how it works.” He smirked before he decided the whole process of getting her into her bed would go faster if he just picked her up. He scooped her up, trying not to laugh outright as she yelped in surprise. “I’m going to have to watch how many you have next time.”

 “Is it because you’re so pretty? I don’t get it…” She mumbled to herself.

 “Only part of the equation,” He set her down on the bed and she suddenly grabbed his jacket. “But I’m glad to hear you think so. What are you doing?”

 “I have a hyp-hypothle-hypolthe… I have a theory.” She yanked him down toward her.

 “Alright?” While he was amused, he also didn’t understand what she meant. Aelyn must have misunderstood his response for consent, and in the next moment, she was surprising him entirely with an unexpected kiss.

 Val had to grab the headboard to keep from toppling completely forward. She was much less reserved with a few drinks in her system. Her mouth moved against his in a brazenly inquisitive way. Her lips were soft and tasted slightly of brandy as they tested the feel of his, boldly. She was enticingly good, captivating him, tilting her head, letting her lower lip drag across his, he had almost been swept away completely when she pulled back.

 “Nope.” She sighed, her head falling back against the pillows.

 “What?” He felt somewhat bewildered.

 It wasn’t the first time he’d been kissed by a drunk woman but definitely the first time they’d let him go so coldly. He wanted to ask what in Oblivion she had meant by ‘nope’, but she was already out in the two seconds it took for her head to hit the pillow and Val to process what had just happened. He watched her for a moment and frowned. A little warning bell started to sound in the back of his mind, barely even there when he realized, he kind of liked her.

Chapter Text

In the morning, she awoke to a magical smell wafting through the air. A deep, rich aroma, penetrated the fog of sleep. She cracked an eye open, letting her senses come back to her, realizing she wasn’t alone in her room. Val was shaking her leg with his boot, standing at the foot of her bed, sipping from a ceramic mug. Just as she had done, the day prior. Aelyn groaned rolling over, bemoaning the fact that she was awake. When in the world did she get the idea to drink so much? She pulled the covers over her head.

 “Wake up, we’ve got a long road.” Val continued to nudge her leg with his boot.

 “No.” She grumbled, curling up into a ball under the covers.

 He grabbed the edge of her blanket and yanked hard, so that it flew off the bed. Aelyn yelped, trying to cover herself up, realizing that sometime in the night she had drunkenly shed most of her clothes.

 “Sweetheart, I saw more when you jumped in the bay. Your shirt isn’t even see-through this time. Get up.” Val stood there sipping from the steaming mug while Aelyn processed what he said.

 “What?!” She shot up, then immediately fell back down. Her brain felt like it was trying to escape through her eye socket. “I can’t believe you looked!”

 “Of course I looked.” He shrugged, “Now get up.”

 Aelyn rolled her body off the bed, her head still resting on the mattress while she tried to stand up. She had to cradle her head in her hand to keep the room from spinning while she searched for her pants and tunic. Val heaved a sigh, pushing her back so that she was sitting on the bed while he handed her clothes to her. He’d known ahead of time getting her up was likely to be difficult and had honestly expected her to put up more of a fight considering how much she had drank. Yet here they were, while she obediently got herself ready to leave, with some help, despite how awful she clearly felt. 

 “So…” Val watched her visibly flinch at the sunlight beaming down on them as they left the inn.

 “Of course it had to be a nice day.” She groaned.

 “About last night-” He started again.

 “I should not have drunk that much.” Aelyn sighed deeply, rubbing her temples. “I can’t believe I did that.”

 “Well, I can’t say I minded too much-” He grinned, strolling alongside her as they left through the main city gate.

 “No, it was really irresponsible of me.” She was focused on just putting one foot in front of the other.

 “I even got a good-night kiss-” Val smirked, feeling mischievous.

 “It won’t happen again-” She continued not hearing him, and his face fell. His sudden silence made Aelyn stop and glance up at him. He paused awkwardly, both of them looking at the other somewhat confused.

 “Right, well-” He stepped back.

 “Val?” She reached for him, holding onto his sleeve.

 “Forget it.” He said a little coldly, pulling away from her as they walked toward the carriage.

 “I’m trying to apologize.” She looked upset, and it didn’t sit well with him.

 “You’ve got nothing to apologize for. Just forget it.” He waited for her to climb up into the carriage.

 She stood there for a moment, a sinking feeling in her stomach. Her head hurt too much to understand, he seemed upset but was telling her not to apologize. The sinking feeling started to spiral; she had crossed the line. Of course she had, he’d had to help her up the stairs to her room! Aelyn climbed up into the cart, mortified by her own irresponsibility. She assumed he’d even put her into bed considering she couldn’t recall how she’d gotten there. The last thing she remembered was leaning in her doorway, and Val asking if she was going to be alright.

 It was a long ride to Markarth. Neither Val nor Aelyn spoke much. Aelyn sat there trying to reconcile the awful feeling that was making itself at home in the pit of her stomach, while Val pointedly averted his gaze from her. Silence reigned between them and there was nothing but the bright sun beaming down on them, and the jostling of the cart over the rocky and worn roads. The jagged peaks of the Reach grew around them, closing in on the road, creating a dizzying disorientation when one looked upward at them.

 Despite her best efforts, Aelyn started to nod off. The desire to shut out the world around her grew too strong, and she found herself unable to keep her eyes open any longer. Val’s eyes flicked to her the moment she was well and truly asleep. Her head rested at an odd angle, bouncing against the rail of the cart unevenly. How in the world she was able to sleep with her head hitting the rail repeatedly like that was beyond him. He sighed knowing when she woke, she was going to regret that. She likely wouldn’t be able to turn her head.

 He reached forward, stacking his pack on top of hers, moving her so that she had something somewhat softer under her head, and her neck rested at a more natural angle. Not that he cared whether she was comfortable, he just didn’t want to hear her complain about the crick in her neck later. He was only with her for a short stent of time. He’d complete this job with her, as promised, and then he’d be on his way. There was no use in getting attached.

 It was late in the afternoon by the time they reached Markarth, the sun was sinking behind the mountains of the Reach, creating an imposing shadow of the stone city, its spires reaching up toward the sky. Aelyn blinked awake at the sudden lack of motion. She had slept well despite being in a jostling cart, and her head felt much clearer. She sat up to find Val watching her intently.

 “What?” She blinked, wondering why he was staring at her. He sighed and stood up.

 “Just wondering how in Oblivion you can sleep like that in a cart.” He bent toward her to grab his pack that she’d been sleeping on.

 “Uh, old habit.” She looked away feeling somewhat embarrassed. “You know, sleep whenever you can, wherever you can.”

Val paused, his brows coming together as he stood up. He watched her pop up, fresh as a daisy. A stark contrast to how she’d started out the day. Aelyn threw her pack over her shoulder and hopped out of the cart, waiting for him follow.

She climbed the steps up to the main gate of the city, the giant bronze doors creaked open as the guards pulled the levers that operated them. A deep metallic sound echoed inside the alcove at the top of stairs. Just inside, one was immediately greeted with the hustle and bustle of the market at this height of it’s busy time, when everyone was heading home from work, stopping to make their purchases along the way. The cluster of stalls sat right before the gate, just down a small set of stone stairs. As Aelyn descended toward the market, eager to return to her modest home within the city a man she didn’t recognize, dressed like he was from the Warrens bumped into her, his eyes focused intently ahead.

Her brow furrowed as she watched the tanned Breton stalk through the crowd. She knew most of the people who lived in the Warrens, and she was certain she’d never seen this man before. Was he a new arrival? His hair was unkempt, swirling blue tattoos streaked up his arms, his eyes a little too wild. A Reachman.

“This city looks like a maze.” Val remarked from over her shoulder as Aelyn dropped her pack at his feet, her gaze fixed on someone in the crowd. She was tense, coiled, ready to strike. Without warning she quickly moved into the crowd. “Hey! Where are you-”

He didn’t even have time to finish his sentence. He saw the movement ahead of her, a man drawing his weapon, a murderous aura swept over the stranger. He tried to track Aelyn, but she’d completely disappeared. In the seconds that it took for the man to rush forward, his bone dagger in hand, Val had started toward the strainger only to see a flash of steel. Blood sprayed over the bystanders while people screamed. A man shouted, a short scuffle ensued.

“I will die for my people!” He roared as Aelyn tackled him to the ground, he tried to slash at her with his blade.

Aelyn slid to the side, narrowly missing the sharp edge of his weapon, snatching the man’s wrist and forcing it the wrong way. A loud crack sounded, the man shrieked, and her blade found his throat. There was blood everywhere, a feral look on Aelyn’s face as she sat on the man’s chest, still holding his arm bent back at an unnatural angle, as she pulled her dagger free.

“By the Gods! A Forsworn!” Someone cried.

“Everyone step back! There are no Forsworn in the city!” The city guards were rushing to the area. “We have everything under control.”

Val blinked and Aelyn was gone. He scanned the crowd, still half on the steps near the city entrance, wondering how a blood covered woman had slipped away with hardly a trace with so many people looking on.

“Let’s go.” Aelyn snatched her pack up from near his feet, suddenly beside him.

“Way to let the guard know exactly who you are.” He admonished her, trying to still his heart that was racing with… Excitement.

“Val, I live here. Now let’s go before they want to question witnesses.” She slipped along the edge of crowd and he tried not to be impressed with how easily she blended into the shadows. He was trying not to stare.

Aelyn stopped in front of a small door adjacent to the entrance to the Warrens, the slums of Markarth. Val had to duck in order to get through the door. The little apartment wasn’t much but it was enough. The abode was more like a system of hallways than an actual coherent layout for an apartment. When they entered a hallway stretched before them, a bench sat near the door, a few shelves lined one wall over a number of hooks for coats and gear. The hall took an abrupt left turn into a slightly larger room with a fireplace and more bookshelves on almost every available wall. There was a sofa and armchair there near the fireplace, and three different hallways leading off from that room.

“Uh, make yourself comfortable.” Aelyn waved at the couch. “I need to get cleaned up.” Her clothes were soaked with blood, she looked… Embarrassed.

“Nothing like someone getting knifed in broad-daylight to make me feel at home.” He smirked.

Val watched after her for moment a muscle ticking in his jaw. Aelyn wasn’t just clever; she was also vicious, he realized. A dangerous combination that she hid well. She moved toward a little recess in the wall on the opposite side of the room, where a bronze door sat slightly ajar, partially obscured from view.

“Where did you learn to fight like that?” He finally asked. Aelyn paused, looking back toward him.

“I picked up a few things over the years.” She shrugged dismissively.

“You almost fight like one of them.” He tilted his head to side, gauging her reaction. She let a derisive laugh out.

“A Breton with a knife and suddenly I fight like a Reachman?” She shook her head.

Aelyn didn’t often let people see that side of her, and if they did, they didn’t usually live long enough to say much about it. That man in the market had been about to kill a woman at one of the stalls, she’d needed to intervene.

“No, I meant the way you threw yourself forward.” He’d seen it plenty of times, he did it himself, which was how he’d even recognized it.

She’d launched herself into a fight like she didn’t have anything to lose. Aelyn didn’t respond and simply went through the door at the far end of the room, closing it behind her. He heard running water, and assumed that must have been where the bath was. He stood there staring at the closed door for a moment, arms folded over his chest.

He’d been a little miffed since their conversation that morning. He didn’t understand what he’d misread about her. He was sure she liked him, it was his only plausible explanation for why she’d been so kind to him. She’d kissed him, and then told him it wouldn’t be happening again. If she wasn’t interested, had she only done that because she’d been so drunk? He didn’t like the feeling that left him with.

He started poking around a bit, opening random doors, familiarizing himself with the place. The Kitchen was small, and cramped, and reminded him of the galley on his ship. As Val meandered through the apartment unsupervised, and absolutely not snooping, he stopped an older-looking door. The others had all been metal but this one was made of an aged wood. It creaked on its hinges as he eased it open. This room was similar in structure to the rest of the apartment but, felt completely different than any other space he’d investigated this far.

 A small single bed was crammed into a corner, with the foot of the bed directed toward the door. Almost as if whoever slept there needed the security of a tight space to feel safe. The blanket was worn, faded from a deep red and threadbare. Some strange force came over him, he almost couldn’t resist reaching out to touch it. The texture wasn’t as rough as he’d expected but that of fabric that had softened with time. 

 A small desk on the opposite side of the room caught his eye. It had various locks set out on it and hosted a litter of broken lockpicks. A small golden box sat off to the side. He picked up the little box, opening the lid. A red gem, a sheen and cut he’d not often seen, laid delicately on the purple cushion inside. His brows bent, wondering what a Stone of Barenziah was doing in this little corner of the world.

 The little box still in hand, he moved on, there were a few books in this room, about various subjects. He laughed a little picking up a copy of ‘Thief of Virtue’. A few spellbooks, and some technical manuals, were stacked haphazardly around before one book caught his eye. He stopped; his fingers itched to reach out but he didn’t dare. There, tucked behind a tilting stack, hidden in the back of a shelf, a cover as black as night that seemed to suck in the light around it.

 “What are you doing?” Aelyn leaned in the doorway eyeing him suspiciously, time had gotten away from him.

 Her pale skin as light pink, flushed from the heat of the bath still. She hadn’t even bothered to dry her hair, it hung in damp waves past her shoulders, she was wrapped up in a towel that seemed too large for her. She watched him for a moment, a moment stretched between them, the air held a certain charge to it. 

 “Uh… Just looking around.” He hadn’t even heard her approach. He had to admit, she had a soft step. Val stood there awkwardly caught in what was obviously her bedroom, holding what was likely the only thing of any value in his hand. Aelyn raised her eyebrows, clearly waiting for an explanation. “Listen, I was just-”

 “Curious?” Aelyn finished, her voice even and almost, disintrested. She held her hand out for the little gold box. Val obliged her.

 “Why do you have a Stone of Barenziah?” He asked shifting topics.

 “You know what this is?” She asked, stepping into the room and setting the box back down on her desk where it had been before.

 “Yeah, I’ve seen one before, I have a contact in Riften that might help you get it appraised if you’re lookin’ to offload it.” Val inched toward the door, gazing at the bookshelf that Aelyn now stood in front of.

 “Is that so?” She glanced toward the little box. “Well, we might need a little bit of a financial cushion for the expedition, maybe seeking them out wouldn’t such a bad idea.”

 Val paused; she kept throwing him off balance. Why wasn’t she yelling at him? She was incredibly hard to read and he didn’t like it.

 “Hey, I’ve gotta know-” Val started, he needed the answers. What exactly was she getting out of being so nice to him?

 “Aelyn.” She interrupted him, absently searching through her desk drawer for something.

 “What?” Val uncrossed his arms, confused.

 “My name. It’s not Hey, or You, or Sweetheart or Darling, it’s Aelyn.” She stood up holding a change of clothes. “You’ve not called me by my name even once.” She was agitated and tired. She had started the day completely hung over, somehow pissed Val off, then had to knife someone in the market and spent the last thirty minutes scrubbing blood off her. There was a weariness settling into her bones that would only be cured by a deep sleep. In her own bed.

 “Aelyn.” His voice suddenly sounded rough. She wasn’t prepared for how that warm sound made her stomach flip. She turned slowly. His gaze was intense, making her heart race.

 He watched her reaction, that flush to her skin he’d been enjoying deepened, she licked her lips absently. Had that been the problem? He’d been too impersonal? Warning bells started to go off immediately. He liked the way her name felt on his tongue. He liked the way she slowly shifted those blue eyes toward him when he said it. They stood there staring at one another for a moment that seemed incredibly too long.

 “Well?” She prompted.

 “Well?” Val repeated, completely lost on what she was asking him for, his mind elsewhere entirely.

 “What did you need to know?” She asked simply, and Val could’ve slapped himself. The warning bells in his mind turned into blaring horns. He’d been so caught up in the moment that he’d forgotten he’d started to ask her a question her in the first place.

 “Why did you help me? Back in Solitude, you could’ve easily cut your losses.” Val leaned in the doorway, watching her intently. Looking for any clues as to what her real intentions were. She sighed deeply before turning to face him fully.

 “I told you, I feel responsible, and I don’t know. You seemed…” Aelyn paused trying to find the words.

 “Roguishly charming?” He grinned, prompting her, stepping closer. The way she’d flushed when he said her name had him wondering how far he could press his luck.

 “Desperate.” She nodded to herself, having found the word she was looking for. Val’s face fell.

 “Let’s just be straight with each other.” He stepped toward her again.

 “Have we not been?” Aelyn couldn’t make heads or tails of what Val was getting at. He left her feeling confused more often than she liked.

 “I want to know why you’ve been so good to me. What’s in it for you?” He cut right to the chase; he was done with this off-balance feeling she gave him. He almost felt… Nervous.

 “What are you talking about?” Aelyn stood up straight, stepping closer to him, her brows bent. “I hired you.”

 “I’m talking about…” He blew out a breath in frustration. “You tracked me down, saved me from being marooned on an island, helped me clear my bounty at your expense, because you felt responsible? For a job? Give me a break. You didn’t even accuse me of trying to rob you just now.”

 “Were you trying to rob me?” Aelyn crossed her arms over her chest, looking at Val curiously.

 “No, but any normal-” He began but she cut him off.

 “And what is ‘normal’ to you, Val? People who hire you and accuse you of stealing? People who turn you in for a job you planned together, who scheme behind your back and betray you? People who’d maroon you on an island and leave you to die of exposure and starvation?” She was bristling, her eyes growing stormy.

 “Yes!” He snarled; he hadn’t been angry but she was provoking him. “Yes, that is normal for me! Which is why I’m asking you, what are you getting out of this?”

 “Nothing.” She said flatly. “Other than a second pair of hands that can pick a lock, wield a blade, and knows their way around ruins.” She pushed him out of her room, leaving him standing in the hall, “You know, I thought the biggest problem I was going to have was deciding whether I could trust you or not. Turns out, it’s whether you can trust anyone.”

Chapter Text

“Don’t move if you value your life.”

Val’s eyes snapped open. He could feel the sharp point of a blade pressed against his throat. From where he had been sleeping on Aelyn’s couch, he looked up to see a pair of hazel eyes glaring down at him. Another young Breton woman, not Aelyn, was standing over him. She couldn’t have been more than twenty-three. She bore some resemblance to Aelyn, so much so that he could’ve been convinced they were cousins. Her hair was a similar shade of brown but not as wavy as Aelyn’s and lacked the honeyed warmth. Golden-rimmed glasses sat upon a freckled stubborn upturn to her nose.

“Who are you?” Val lamely held up his hands.

“The person who lives here!” She said angrily. “Who are you?! Why are you in my home?!”

“I’m Val…” He snatched her wrist easily, turning so that she was forced to drop her knife as he stood up. It hadn’t been his first time waking up to a knife at his throat.

“Ow! Hey!” She yelled as he knocked her to the floor. He had the knife in his hand and his knee on her chest with the blade now pointed at her throat.

“You see, I’m pretty sure my friend lives here. And I have no idea who you are, so either explain or…” He gently pressed the blade against her throat.

“Val.” Aelyn was pinching the bridge of her nose, standing just behind the couch. Her hair was a mess from sleep, and the strap of her camisole was falling off her shoulder. She’d clearly heard the commotion and had just rolled out of bed. “Please let Remi up.” Val stared for a moment before looking back down at the girl he had pinned to the floor. He slowly backed off of her, keeping the end of the knife pointed at her until he was at a safe distance.

“Why is there some vagabond in our home?” Remi got up, still glaring at Val, as she stood slightly behind Aelyn.

“Vagabond?” Val was instantly offended. “Do I look like a vagabond?” He pointed to his clothes.

“It’s too early for this.” Aelyn groaned, turning toward the kitchen. “Val, this is Remiel, my partner. Remi, this is Captain Serano, formerly of the Dark Rose. Try not to kill each other. If you get blood on the furniture, you’re cleaning it.” She waved a hand at them blithely as she walked away.

“You smell like a vagabond,” Remi muttered snidely as she followed Aelyn to the kitchen.

“What?” He covertly sniffed himself and groaned. She was right.

Aelyn filled a kettle with water from their tap and set it to the side. Remi began slicing bread from a loaf on the little table pushed up against the wall.

“Snowberry or honey?” Remi asked, setting out three plates and cups as Aelyn set down silverware. The two of them clearly had a well-established routine, working around each other without even glancing up.

“Both,” Aelyn smirked sleepily.

“Of course.” Remi laughed.

Aelyn grabbed a few pieces of kindling and tinder to bring the hearth back to life. The coals had gone completely cold, so once she had it all assembled, she flicked an ember from her fingertip into the tinder. It caught immediately.

“You can use magic?” Val was standing behind her. Aelyn shot him a tired look and put the kettle over the fire for it to heat.

“What about it?” She grumbled, standing on her tiptoes, rummaging around in the cupboards over the sink.

“I just figured I would have seen you use it by now. I had no idea.” He paused, watching her struggle. “Why don’t you just ask for help?” Val folded his arms over his chest.

“I don’t need help.” Aelyn pulled herself up onto the edge of the sink, balancing on her knees to grab a jar of dark grounds from the back of the cupboard.

He genuinely tried not to look this time, but she was wearing a pair of sleep shorts, and her bare legs were at eye level, causing a mischievous thought to worm its way to the forefront of his mind. A sly grin began to turn the corner of his mouth upward. She’d blushed when he’d said her name the night before. Maybe it had been a fluke, or maybe she wasn’t as indifferent to him as either of them believed. Time to test it out. Val moved a little closer, standing just behind her where she balanced on the countertop.

“Aelyn.” He said it lowly, almost a purr; the effect was immediate.

Aelyn jumped; she hit her head on the shelf, losing her balance as she instinctively tried to pull away from the cupboard. She yelped, grabbing her head and dropping the jar she’d been holding as she did so. Val caught the jar before it hit the floor, turning to catch Aelyn, pulling her against his chest with his free arm as she toppled backward. He caught her under the arms, her back pinned against him, her legs half in the sink as she looked up at him wide-eyed and flushed. He’d expected a reaction but not to give her a concussion.

“Are you alright?” He asked, smirking triumphantly, holding her steady as she got her feet under herself.

“What are you doing over there?” Remi rushed over.

“It’s fine, I just slipped.” Aelyn untangled herself from Val as she snatched the jar from his hand and went over to the now steaming kettle, still blushing. Remiel shot him a suspicious glare, and he grinned back at her.

“Why don’t you go get cleaned up and out of our way?” Remi gave him a disingenuous smile.

“Such hospitality, I can scarcely recall a time I’ve felt so welcome.” He smiled right back, backing out of the kitchen.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize pirates were entitled to the gold standard of hospitality. I’ll roll out the red carpet for you next time.” Remi scathed.

“I didn’t realize that your associate for this expedition was a child,” Val smirked, looking at Aelyn, who shook her head.

“Do not bring me into this.” She sighed, going about her tasks in the kitchen.

“I am not a child!” Remiel stomped her foot in frustration, causing Val to shoot Aelyn another glance that said she was proving his point. “Aelyn, I thought we were searching for relics, not bringing one with us.” At this, Aelyn burst out laughing, while Val looked wholly offended in a way that she had not had the privilege to experience until that moment.

“Excuse me?” Val leaned in with a little more menace than was necessary, “Listen, little girl, I may be a bit older than you, but only the best live long lives.” Remi didn’t budge an inch to her credit. “Besides, you’d be lucky to look this good at my age.” He grinned.

“Do we really need to bring him along? We’ve done just fine on our own up until now.” Remiel turned back to Aelyn.

“Relax, Remi. Val, go get cleaned up.” Aelyn practically shoved Val out the door. Remiel watched him leave before turning toward Aelyn and switching her tone completely.

“Okay, so he’s really pretty, and I think he might like you. I noticed a dilation of the pupils and an increased respiration rate when he looked at you.” Her words flew out in a rush. Aelyn fought a laugh and shook her head.

“Remi, those are also indications of a stroke.” She waited until the kettle was just about to start whistling before she pulled it off the hook that hung over the fire. “In any case, it doesn’t matter.”

“What do you mean it doesn’t matter?” Remiel handed Aelyn the coffee press, scooping a few spoonfuls of the dark grounds into it. “This could lead to important research for me.”

“You know exactly what it means.” She took the press from Remi and poured the hot water over the grounds slowly. “I don’t do relationships, you know that.” Aelyn set the press on the table while Remiel put out the mugs, sugar, and cream for coffee.

“What if I said it was for science?” Remiel handed Aelyn a pot and pan as Aelyn held out her hand to the fire, willing the flames to lower. “You can blow off some steam, and I get an opportunity to study the intricacies of social relationships.”

“I feel like this has more to do with your own amusement than science.” Aelyn sighed deeply as she set water to boil in the pot and pulled some bacon from the cold storage. Remi sat on the counter next to the hearth as Aelyn got their breakfast cooking.

She wasn’t so blind and obstinate as to not recognize her own attraction. He was very good-looking; the problem was that he also knew he was attractive. Aside from the cheekbones she could cut herself on, the golden hair, the deep green eyes, and the dashing smile, he had a charm about him that drew people in, but it wasn’t something benign. He used it to his advantage at almost every opportunity. She couldn’t tell if he was trying to charm her or use her or if there was even a difference, and that was a dangerous line to walk. She was clever and intelligent, but Aelyn knew better than anyone where her blind spots lay. What she wasn’t was cunning. She lacked the guile required to run in less savory circles, and while she definitely had her dealings with them and wasn’t above getting her hands a little dirty, she was no mastermind criminal. No, it was best to leave well enough alone as far as the charismatic pirate was concerned.

Val had to stand back and appreciate their bath. The room wasn’t large but, had all the amenities you could want in your own personal spa. Just inside the door were a few shelves full of clean towels, as well as a few soaps and shampoos in baskets. The bath was just behind a partition on the left as he entered. The large bronze tub sat inside a steamy alcove, big enough for three people at least; exotic, humidity-loving plants were potted in large Dwemer vases in the corners of the room.

He stripped down and sank into the bath with a sigh. The steaming water was a blessing from the Gods after a day on the road and a night on the couch. He was sincerely praying that the small jar of dark grounds he had saved from a tragic end was coffee. His thoughts wandered, and things had taken an unexpected turn; just a few weeks ago, he was the feared pirate and captain of the Dark Rose. Now, he was playing tag along with a museum curator with a sharp tongue and her associate. He might have been just about to doze off when there came a soft knock on the door.

“Val?” Aelyn called tentatively. “You didn’t drown, did you?”

“I’m alive.” He called back as he sat up, running water through his hair quickly. He’d been so relaxed that he hadn’t realized how much time had passed. He paused, hearing the door creak open.

“I’m leaving some spare clothes over here. I’m sure they’ll be too small, but it was the best we could round up. Ah, and breakfast is ready.” She set something down on the shelf with the towels before leaving.

He finished cleaning up and got out of the bath, finding the clothes she’d left out for him. His brows came together immediately recognizing the style of Dunmer robes. He pulled them on, finding she had been right; they were entirely too small. The trousers that had been designed to hang loosely stretched over his legs and came up short, and the robe didn’t close properly over his chest. He ended up rolling the already too-short sleeves up to his elbows and leaving the robe undone, simply tying it closed at the waist.

He stepped out of the bath, inhaling the smell of coffee and bacon. He followed the scent barefoot through the apartment toward the kitchen, where Aelyn and Remiel sat sipping coffee. Aelyn sat on the stone ledge of the hearth and Remiel perched on the counter as they both looked up to see him enter. Remiel smirked and tried to hide a chuckle while Aelyn immediately looked away.

“Telly is going to be upset that you let someone borrow his clothes.” Remiel snickered, and Aelyn huffed.

“He’ll survive. He doesn’t even drop by often enough to know.” She stood up, moved toward the small table, picked up a third mug, and handed it to Val. He beamed. 

“Who’s Telly?” Val asked gratefully, taking the mug and sitting down at the table. The three of them settled in together at the table.

“Teldryn. A friend from Solsthiem. He stops by every once in a while.” Aelyn spread snowberry jam over her toast and then began to drizzle honey over top. Val watched her with a confused look on his face.

“I guess you have a bit of a sweet tooth?” He sat back after filling his plate.

“You have your vices; I have mine,” Aelyn said simply.

“I don’t mind a bit of sweetness.” He quipped, but it didn’t earn him a blush. She was too occupied with her breakfast. He frowned. 

“So Captain Serano,-” Remiel began.

“Just Val.” He grinned in a friendly way.

“Er, right.” Remi cleared her throat. 

He couldn’t help but notice Remiel’s table manners; they were in such stark contrast to Aelyn’s that it was hard not to. She held her fork with the curved side down, pushing her breakfast onto the back of it. Like a noble would. While Aelyn ate mostly with her hands, a piece of bacon pinched between her forefinger and thumb of one hand, her toast balanced on her fingertips in the other. 

“Anyway,” Remi continued, “I couldn’t help but notice you have a very unique-looking crossbow. Would you mind if I took a look at it later?”

“At my crossbow?” He clarified, wondering why she was so interested.

“I’ve been working on a similar dual-action design. I’ve determined that by adding a pulley system to the ends of the crossbow arms, you can compound the force rendered. Ultimately, the bolts would fly further, with higher accuracy. I’m interested in the double action mechanism in yours.” Remi sipped her coffee, waiting for Val’s answer.

“Uh, sure. Would you mind if I looked at the design? The idea seems pretty sound. I’m curious to see what it looks like on an actual prototype.” Val chewed his food thoughtfully. “You know, that sort of reminds me of the Dwarven Ballistas.”

“Right?! Exactly! That’s where I got the idea.” Remi was nearly bouncing in her seat. “It’s actually a function I’ve been thinking about adding to Scrap.”

“Who is Scrap?” He looked confused again.

“Scrap is a Dwemer Spider I repurposed from-” Remiel began but Val finished for her.

“Nchuand-Zel?” He supplied, and Remi nodded eagerly. “I saw the displays in the Museum while we were in Solitude.” 

“That’s right! I’m still trying to work out hotwiring a Centurion, but I think I need a larger soul gem and an active Centurion core to make it work.” Remi suddenly stood up, plate in hand, muttering to herself as she left the kitchen. Aelyn, seeing Val’s expression, chuckled.

“Don’t worry, that’s normal.” Aelyn sighed lounging back in her chair, her heel resting on the seat.

“Well, I hear it’s healthy to have hobbies.” He turned to regard her for a moment as she stared into the hearth. “So, what’s your story? You’ve yet to tell me. Where did you learn to use magic?”

“To be fair, you’ve yet to share your story with me either.” Her eyes slid over to him carefully. He grinned. “How did you become a pirate?” They sat in silence for a moment.

“Alright, fair enough,” Val conceded. Aelyn got up and began to collect the dirty dishes from their breakfast, taking them to the sink. “What are you comfortable sharing?” he asked, prodding again for more information. “Favorite color? Age? Are you from Skyrim or somewhere else?” Aelyn leaned against the kitchen doorframe. Val stood up, helping clear the table, before he stepped closer to her. She didn’t move.

“Why are you so interested?” She folded her arms over her chest. It was hard to focus with his bare chest practically in her face; the heat radiating from him made her skin prickle. It was almost like there was a static charge to it, like the space between them was going to spark at any second. He let a charming smirk slide across his lips, and her mouth went dry.

“Because I’m interested.” He leaned forward, letting his knuckle brush up her arm before he slipped the strap of her camisole up over her shoulder. The air felt thick, not unlike the moments right before a thunderstorm broke. 

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Aelyn swallowed hard, “What is it you want, Serano?” She tried to keep her cool. She couldn’t keep losing her head every time he switched his charm on her, which was turning out to be often.

“Who’s being ridiculous?” He reached out for her hand; she still wasn’t backing away or avoiding his touch. “I’m perfectly serious, and I think what I want is rather obvious. I think the question you ought to ask is whether you want that as well.”

He brought her wrist to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss there. She was so pale that even the slightest blush was impossible to hide; he watched it bloom across her chest, creep up her neck to her cheeks, and then—as he tucked her hair behind her ear, revealing the pointed little tip, his fingertips ghosting over it as it turned bright red. Aelyn gasped as his touch grazed her ear and immediately clamped a hand over it, her eyes wide. Val smirked.

“Sensitive?” He purred, pulling her hand away, and if it were possible, she turned an even deeper shade of red.

“Green.” She squeaked suddenly.

“What?” He held her hands in his, about to press them to his chest when he stopped.

“M- My favorite color is green.” She swallowed hard and looked away. He couldn’t contain his chuckle; she was entirely too entertaining. He wondered when he would ever tire of teasing her.

“Blue. My favorite color is blue.” He grinned, backing away from her at last.

Chapter Text

Chink! Aelyn broke her third lockpick in a row. She sat at the little desk in her room, working on various locks, still trying to cool down from her earlier interaction with the pirate. Generally, practicing picking locks calmed her; in a strange way, she found it relaxing, but her mind kept wandering. He’d said he was ‘interested’, and she had thought for a moment he was going to kiss her. A feeling akin to anxiety pulsed through her anew as she recalled how close they’d been to one another. It was a hard feeling to identify; it was uncomfortable and constricting, yet addicting. Thrilling. Still, a nagging question remained, why in Oblivion would he be interested in her? She couldn’t figure out his angle. It didn’t make any sense; she wasn’t anything to look at or of value; she was nothing but jagged and shattered pieces. Broken and disappointing. Which led her to only two conclusions. He was trying to use her, or he was messing with her for his own amusement.

 Chink! She sighed deeply as she broke her fourth lockpick. They would be heading to Riften soon to find Val’s contact and discuss whether they could sell the Stone of Barenziah that Aelyn had. They were in desperate need of coin. As much as she wanted to bring Remi along, she was still working out their expedition to the Aetherium Forge, most importantly, the locations of the key shards and the location of the forge. In the meantime, Aelyn needed to raise some funds.

 She spent most of the day prepping for the long journey ahead. Val tagged along, of course, making the trip to the market take far longer than intended. Aelyn stood by, trying not to look overwhelmingly displeased as he stopped at every booth, chatted with every vendor, complimented their goods, and asked about their businesses, flashing that charming smile of his as often as he could. She was about to simply leave him behind when he came over to her, grinning.

 “Close your eyes.” His smile had her rolling her eyes but complying nonetheless. Until she felt his fingertips brush her ear. She jumped, her eyes snapping open, causing him to chuckle. “Relax, will you? I got you something.”

 “What? Why?” She gave him a suspicious look.

 “Eh, the vendor was having trouble getting rid of them.” He shrugged. “When I ah… I told her they reminded me of my friend’s eyes; she just let me have them.” Val showed her a pair of earrings. “Now, may I put them on you?”

 The silver that the stones were set in was finely crafted. The gemstones themselves were a light crystalline blue, except for a citrine streak from the center out toward the edge of each stone. An imperfection but unique and a beautiful contrast. She wasn’t sure how to react, she’d received precious few gifts in her life, and none were as fine as what he was holding out to her. Aelyn nodded her head tentatively. He leaned in close, fastening the earrings in place, while she tried not to pay attention to the tickle of his touch on her ear and the feel of his breath on her neck.

 “Thank you.” She felt her face burning and hated how easily she blushed from such a simple thing.

 “Are you alright? You look like a Dwarven Automaton on the fritz.” He laughed, referring to her stiff and awkward reaction.

 “I’m just not used to receiving gifts.” She said softly, reaching up to feel the shape of the stones, as if affirming they were actually there.

 “What? I find that hard to believe. Never had a friend or lover shower you with presents?” He asked, still absently fiddling with a lock of her hair. Aelyn carefully extracted it from his grasp before she stepped back.

 “No, though I can’t say my life has left much room for those sorts of distractions.” She said easily, shrugging her shoulders.

 “I find them necessary distractions.” He grinned, following her into the general store just as he paused. “Wait, you have had a lover before?”

 “Of course I have.” Aelyn began pulling out a list that she’d made up prior to leaving the apartment.

 “Oh? Do tell. Current or past?” Val was suddenly showing a keen interest. Aelyn sighed.

 “I’m not sure what’s to tell. It was a long time ago.” She was looking anywhere but at him.

 “How long ago is ‘a long time’?” He smirked, teasing her a little.

 “I don’t know, a few years?” Aelyn started to look around the shelves for the items on her list.

 “Y-years? I’m sorry, I think I misheard you; you meant it’s felt like years, right?” There was no way she was serious; she must have misspoken.

 “No, I think maybe five years? I mean-”

 “Years?! There’s no way.” He shook his head in disbelief as Aelyn whirled around to face him, hissing in a hushed voice.

 “Okay, listen, this isn’t a conversation I want to have, ever really, but less so in the middle of a store.” She looked away, feeling suddenly shy. “I was with a woman when I was younger for a short time before it became obvious that we wanted different things, and then there was someone after that who turned out to be the wrong sort. That’s it. Sure, it was a little lonely at first, but eventually, you just sort of… Forget.” She was very pointedly focusing on the list in her hand.

 “What do you mean that’s it? How do you just forget?” Val’s brow bent in confusion. “You mean you’ve only been with two people?”

 “Are you judging me?” She couldn’t contain the chuckle.

 “No. Maybe a little. Look, I just find it hard to believe. I can’t picture a scenario where there aren’t droves of interested parties beating down your door.” He leaned against a nearby shelf, still with the same confused expression, almost as if the idea that there weren’t ‘droves of interested parties’ offended him.

 “Well, turns out I’m not everyone’s cup of tea. Too hot, too cold, too much, too little.” She carefully tucked her hair around her ears so that the tips didn’t show, feeling ready for this conversation to be over.

 “Who drinks tea anyway.” He scoffed. “People who obviously don’t know how much better coffee is. That’s who.” She smiled a little at that. He traced the wood grain on one of the shelves. “So…”

 “Just spit it out; I can’t imagine this conversation could be more mortifying than it already is.” She fought back another deep sigh.

 “Do you not like it or something?” As soon as the words left his mouth, she turned a deep red.

 “And I was wrong.” She gave him a sidelong look of incredulity. “What?”

 “You know, some people don’t. I was just wondering if maybe it was like that for you. I’m not sure how someone like you hasn’t-”

 “What do you mean ‘someone like me’? And… I mean…” Aelyn was more than a little flustered. She wasn’t used to talking about these things. “I like it. It’s just... I’m…” She waved a hand in the air, trying to conjure the right words. “Particular.”

 “Are you serious? You’ve got good qualities, and you’re easy on the eyes. Well, when you aren’t scowling. I really don’t get what the issue is-” He was cut off when she rounded on him, looking upset.

 “People don’t want to spend their time with a filthy knife-eared mutt like me.” Her face was red and angry, but her eyes were sad. Val suddenly grabbed the front of her shirt and yanked her toward him.

 “Don’t ever refer to yourself that way in front of me again.” His words were low and devoid of mirth. She’d never seen him look so deadly serious. Aelyn grasped his wrist and pulled his hand off her.

 “That doesn’t make it any less true.” She stepped back from him. “The Thalmor kill people like me when they can get away with it.” She scathed in a quiet voice. “So yes, I’ve led a solitary life, skipping from one spot to another, trying to stay alive. No, that didn’t leave a lot of time for dalliances.”

 “Who says it’s true? What other people say about you, it’s not true until you believe it. So, stop giving them power over you. You’ve survived, haven’t you? You should be taking pride in that fact alone. Despite everything, you’re still here. You get to define yourself how you want now.”

 Aelyn said nothing. She watched him for a moment, not understanding why he even cared what she called herself. It seemed personal to him. She couldn’t refute him either, and it left her stunned. Why hadn’t she come to such a conclusion before? Could that reasoning be true, even for her? She already knew she wasn’t the same as everyone else, she bridged two worlds, a person adrift. She wasn’t entitled to the things the rest of the world was entitled to. Safety, a home, clean clothes, and food were all things she’d had to fight to obtain. She was half of a person no matter how she looked at it, always missing the part that would bring her into the light. Aelyn cleared her throat and stood up straight, then went about her business purchasing their supplies as if the conversation never happened. She didn’t know how to react or how to respond to him. There was some strange, warm feeling in her chest that she didn’t entirely hate. The warmth was burning away some of the darkness there. It ached a little. It was the ache of muscle held in one position for too long that had finally been allowed to move.

 The walk back to her apartment was quiet. Val had never been this silent except for the ride from Solitude to Markarth, which she had been mostly asleep for. As they reached the door to her home, she paused, her hand hovering over the door knob. Aelyn turned toward him; his face was unreadable.

 “I’ll try.” She said quietly.

His eyes flicked to her, his expression softening a little. The ghost of a smile graced his lips as he nodded. Aelyn opened the door, the light from inside spilling out onto the street and illuminating them both. Warmth enveloped them as they stepped inside, safe from the chill and the dark.

Chapter Text

The road from Markarth had been a long one. Nearly three days of travel later, they finally arrived in Riften. After a bit of a ‘miscommunication’ at the gate, where a guard attempted to extort them for some visitor’s tax, Val led them toward the city center. Aelyn had been concerned for a moment that Val had been considering knifing the guard, before she smoothed the situation over. Once inside, Aelyn quickly discovered that the city left much to be desired. The whole town smelled like damp wood. The creaking walkways above the canal that ran through middle of town and connected the city to the lake were all patched together, the buildings were mostly in a similar state. All had a worn and dark look to them.

The inn, The Bee and Barb, was warm and lively. It was a rowdy place that drove out the smell of mildew that seemed to linger everywhere with the scents of stale ale, body odor, urine, and fresh baked bread. It was a cocktail for the senses to be sure. After securing their lodgings, Val had a treat in store for them as he led them down toward the lower city, on level with the canal. Aelyn had thought the homes above were in a state only to find out that the richer denizens of Riften lived up there, while the masses occupied small, dank apartments built into the foundations of the city, right along the canal. Her questions about flooding were immediately put aside as Val opened a grate and stepped into a tunnel that wound down even further, below the waterline. Aelyn had to cover her nose and mouth, the place reeked of mold and human excrement.  

After navigating what seemed to be a maze of old aqueducts, tunnels, and antechambers, they finally walked down a small flight of stairs to a door with a piece of driftwood nailed over it that read ‘Ragged Flagon’ in red paint. The smell was somewhat more manageable as they stepped into the wide cistern. A stone walkway ran around the outer edge of the circular room, with a small gang plank connecting it to the platform on the far side. A pool of questionable water filled the bottom of the cistern, a portcullis in the ceiling connected the space to the world above. A makeshift bar had been set up, a roaring fire the small alcove chased away some of the damp cold. A collection of unsavory types lingered and mulled about but the establishment was relatively empty.

“You always take me to the nicest places,” Aelyn remarked, taking in their surroundings. Val chuckled, walking ahead of her, crossing a gangplank into the Ragged Flagon. She still couldn’t get over how he seemed right at home no matter what their surroundings happened to be.

“Delvin! It’s been too long!” Val walked into the Ragged Flagon grinning from ear to ear. A Breton man stood up, eyeing Val with an unreadable expression.

“You’ve got a lot of nerve walkin’ here after what you pulled.” A tension hung in the air that predicted violence.

He seemed to be a bit older than Val, maybe in his mid-forties. He had a darker complexion than most Bretons, but the same wiry build. Val’s smile dropped, confusion flashing across his face. He had to do a mental run down, he was pretty sure he hadn’t shorted Delvin on any of their dealings. The look that crossed Val’s must have been too much for old Delvin as he immediately smirked, then grinned, and began to laugh.

“The look on yer face, you had to think about it didn’t ya? I’m just messin’ with ya Val, good to see ya, how ya been?” Delvin brought him in for a hug, while Val was still unsure if he should be angry or laugh.

“Good, good. Listen, I was-” Val started to explain their impromptu visit when Delvin spotted Aelyn observing their interaction.

“Whoa whoa, hold up now. Who’s this? You’re just going to jump into business without even introducin’ us?” Delvin tutted disapprovingly at Val who rolled his eyes with a smirk.

“Right. Delvin, this is my new… associate. Aelyn Ravenspire.” Val reluctantly stepped to the side.

“Pleased to meet you.” Aelyn held out her hand, shaking Delvin’s politely, that feline smile of hers’ made another appearance. “Why don’t you boys catch up, I’m feeling a little parched.” Aelyn laid a reassuring hand on Val’s back before she brushed past them toward the bar. The gazes of both men followed her as she made her way across the room.

“Well now.” Delvin watched her openly, with an appreciative lift of his brow. Until Val smacked him in the shoulder for staring. “She with you?” He laughed teasingly.

“She’s not with you.” Val leveled a glare at him before they sat down.

“I’m just sayin’, you’re an idiot for bringing something that fine down here.” Delvin shook his head.

Aelyn pulled out a barstool and perched on the edge. The man behind the bar gave her a sidelong glance, as he wiped a glass clean. Aelyn said nothing, waiting patiently as the barman made his way down to her.

“You’ve got business here?” The man asked coldly. Aelyn smiled at him; the man’s disposition immediately started to soften.

“I’m waiting for my friend to finish conducting their dealings. Then, I’ll be on my way.” Aelyn had a sneaking suspicion about the nature of the Ragged Flagon and understood with very little pretense, that she was not on the in with these people. The man nodded.

“Vekel, stop givin’ the Lass a hard time.” A smooth deep voice came from behind her, along with a radiating warmth in the damp, clammy atmosphere of the Ragged Flagon.

Aelyn turned cautiously to her right, giving the man who had taken up residence on the barstool right next to hers a calculating look. He had a similar air about him to Val, too confident, and self-assured, less overtly charming. The man was about the same height as Val, with a slightly more muscular frame. Fine, ginger-colored locks fell to just above his shoulders. His clear green eyes were fixed on Aelyn. The man was strikingly handsome. A square jaw, full lips, a strong arch to his brow, a dangerous smirk that likely made women and men alike weak in the knees.

“And you are?” Aelyn faced forward again, closing him off from her.

“Curious.” He continued to watch her. “It’s not often we get to see such a fair face down here.” He smiled at Aelyn who raised a brow at him.

“I’d try some scented candles, something to help play down the stench.” Aelyn smiled serenely. He laughed, a warm pleasing sound. The man behind the bar, Vekel, sat down a drink in front of Aelyn that she hadn’t ordered. The ginger interloper tapped his finger on the bar and suddenly there were two. Oh, Aelyn didn’t like this. She glanced at Vekel who didn’t make eye contact and distanced himself from the two of them casually.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” He purred, brazenly brushing a lock of Aelyn’s hair back over her shoulder. She glared at him, and he grinned even wider.

“Easy Lass.” He leaned back, taking the hint. “You see, I know everyone who frequents this place. But you, you’ve never been here before.”

“That’s right.” Aelyn sipped the drink in front of her.

“So, what brings you down here?” He flashed her a little smile.

“I have business to conduct.” She replied in short.

“Really? What sort of business?” The man wasn’t letting her off so easily. “I might be able to help.”

“It’s already being conducted.” She offered him a little smile, but he still didn’t budge. He didn’t even look confused. He simply nodded.

“So, you’re here with Serano then?” If she didn’t know better, she would have guessed this information displeased him.

“Can I help you with something?” Aelyn was out of patience.

“Perhaps.” He let his shoulder brush against hers ‘unintentionally’. “You’re the one who sniffed out my little scheme at the front gate, aren’t you?” Oh, he was a con man. Aelyn resisted the overwhelming urge to roll her eyes. “I appreciate the way you handled that, didn’t make a ruckus.”

“You’re so very welcome.” Her cat’s grin was snaking its way across her face, she could have sworn the man’s eyes sparkled.

“Now,” He leaned in toward her, speaking directly into her ear, “You may not know this, but Serano isn’t the type of guy you should be letting handle your affairs.”

“I don’t believe that’s any of your business, thank you.” She was ready for this guy to leave.

“Wealth is my business, and if you’re interested, I can help add to yours. What do you say to a little taste?” His voice was purr, enticing, carefully crafted. Aelyn paused, the way he said ‘taste’ had her on edge. Yet, the fact of the matter was, she did need coin.

“That depends on what you’re offering.” She wasn’t above getting her hands a little dirty, and she needed to fund her expedition. It wouldn’t hurt to hear him out, would it?

“I have a little errand that I need an extra set of hands for. Meet me in the marketplace tomorrow, and we’ll see if you’re up for the job.” Without so much as a name given, he stood up and sauntered around to a doorway in the back of the Ragged Flagon, disappearing into the shadows there.

Aelyn stared after him for a moment, mulling things over. It wasn’t long before Val came to find her, looking concerned. He sat down on the now vacant barstool.

“Delvin says it might take a few days to get a price on the gem. They aren’t very common.” Val glanced over to where Aelyn had been staring a moment prior. “What did Brynjolf want?” Aelyn raised a brow, so the man did have a name. She shouldn’t have been surprised that Val knew who he was.

“He offered me a job.” She replied thoughtfully.

“Hmm.” Val looked slightly displeased.

“What is it?” Aelyn asked, tilting her head to the side.

“Ah, just be careful with that one. He’s either recruiting you or going to blackmail you.” Likely both, he thought but didn’t say. Aelyn chuckled.

“Well, I imagine he’s already decided on the matter.” She smiled. “In any case, it looks like we’re stuck here for a few days. Might as well make a little extra money in the meantime.”

Chapter Text

Aelyn leaned against the short stone wall that surrounded the marketplace, waiting for Brynjolf to start his distraction. Something felt off about the whole situation. She didn’t like the idea of framing someone so frivolously, but Brynjolf had assured her that Brand-Shei, the Dunmer vendor, wouldn’t spend more than three days in jail over the matter. It was about sending a message more than it was trying to set Brand-Shei up.

“Everyone! Everyone, gather round, I’ve got something amazing to show you!” Brynjolf called all of the marketgoers to him, that was her signal.

Aelyn waited patiently until Madesi, the jeweler, left his stall. It was too easy of a task. Aelyn popped the lock on the cabinet beneath Madesi’s stall and the lockbox within in seconds. She pulled out the commissioned ring and slipped away from the stall. Brynjolf was still going on about Falmer-blood Elixir, Aelyn acted like an eager customer, pushing her way through the crowd that had gathered. The crowd was beginning to heckle Brynjolf, and Aelyn tried to hide a chuckle as they started to list his previous scams. She bumped into Brand-Shei, dropping the ring into his pocket as she pushed to the front of the crowd, shooting a wink at Brynjolf. He grinned.

“Well, it looks like my time is up! Thank you for your attention, twenty gold if you’d like to buy!” Brynjolf stepped close to Aelyn as she passed by his stall, dropping his voice to a whisper. “Well, well, looks like I chose the right person for the job.” He pressed a few gold coins into Aelyn’s palm, letting his fingertips brush across her wrist. “Find me at the Flagon later and we’ll talk.”

His breath tickled her ear as he spoke, the low pitch of his whisper had a blush creeping up the back of her neck. Satisfied with the flush of her cheeks, Brynjolf stepped back into his stall, peddling the made-up elixir just as the city guard entered the market.

They went straight to Brand-Shei’s stall, demanding that he turn out his pockets. The Dunmer protested, trying assert his innocence. Aelyn had to turn away from the scene. She didn’t like the feeling it gave her, knowing the man had done nothing wrong, knowing she was part of the reason this was happening to him. Brynjolf had assured her that he had done something to deserve it, hadn’t he?

She made her way back to the Bee and Barb, where Val was waiting for her. She spotted him at the bar talking up some blonde who was making eyes at him. Aelyn was about to find a table to wait him out when Val spotted her and waved her over. He leaned into the blonde, whispering something in her ear that made her giggle, before she went on her way. The whole display left a sour feeling in Aelyn's stomach. Val pulled out the bar stool next to him for Aelyn as she sat down.

“So, how’d it go?” He asked referring to the job in the marketplace.

“It went off without a hitch.” She sighed, about to raise her hand to get Keerava’s attention, the Argonian who ran the Bee and Barb, for a drink. She needed to drown out the unsettled feeling she had from watching Brand-Shei get arrested. Val caught her hand before she could flag her down. Aelyn turned to him, confused.

“Let me buy you a drink.” He smiled, still holding her hand. Aelyn glanced around for the blonde he had been flirting with earlier. Not seeing her, she looked to Val, who was still holding her hand.

“Okay…” She said slowly, extracting her hand from his. He chuckled.

“I’m not going to bite unless you ask me to. Promise.” He smirked, he waved to Keerava who made her way over and ordered Aelyn a drink. “It occurred to me that I don’t really know that much about you. So, what’s your story?”

“There isn’t much to tell.” Aelyn smiled at Keerava as she dropped off her drink, Keerava simply hrumphed in response and went on her way.

“I find that hard to believe. How do I say this… You’ve got a way about you that says you’ve seen something of the world.” Val’s eyes rested on her, the weight of his gaze made Aelyn fidget. “Where are you from?” Aelyn glanced at him, before focusing on the glass in front of her, turning it this way and that.

“Ah, I’m not really sure. I was given up as a child. My first memories are of the temple,” She cleared her throat. Aelyn didn’t like talking about her upbringing, it brought back unpleasant memories. Some things were better left forgotten.

“Really? You were brought up in a temple? That’s… Not what I expected.” Val tilted his head, but Aelyn chuckled so he smiled in response.

“It didn’t last long. I ran away.” She smirked. “I was maybe eleven when I ended up in the Imperial City. I lived on the streets for a time before I got caught picking a member of the Fighter’s Guild’s pocket. I guess he had grown up a street urchin himself and took a liking to me. He brought me back to the guild in Bruma. I spent the next few years sharpening swords and cleaning armor, learning different fighting styles from the mercenaries, it was about what you would expect.” She shrugged. Val hummed in response, that part of her story was more along the lines of what he had been expecting.

“How did you end up in Skyrim?” He asked, wondering how the Fighter’s Guild had led her to working for a Museum.

“That’s a bit of a story.” Aelyn took a tentative sip of her drink, the taste of blackberries mixed with a sweet alcohol both pleased her taste buds and stung the back of her throat. Val gestured for her to continue, clearly wanting to hear.

“Well, Ignus, the Fighter who took me in, he was contracted by the Synod to retrieve some artifact for them and he asked me along. I was sixteen I think? Well.” She paused taking a deep breath, “He didn’t make it. I returned with the artifact to the Synod.” She took a long drink from her glass. Val watched her shoulders visibly sag. Her face didn’t betray anything but, he could see the weight sit on her. Guilt. He knew it when he saw it, how could he not?

“The Synod discovered I had some magical talent,” She paused trying to tamp down the unpleasant memories. She hadn’t gone very willingly into their midst. “I spent a few years there.”

“You seemed a little touchy about your magic before.” Val had been wondering why she hardly ever used magic when it could clearly give her an edge. That aside, he couldn’t say he’d ever seen someone fling fire from their fingertips the way she had. Perhaps that had something to do with why The Synod had taken an interest in her.

“It’s not something I’m particularly proud of. The Synod left a bad taste. I studied, and ah-helped with some experiments, I also recovered artifacts for them. A bunch of power-hungry bastards the lot of them. I left when I could. I couldn’t go back to the guild, not after what had happened with Ignus. I came to Skyrim and was doing odd jobs for Calcelmo in Markarth when I met Remi.” Aelyn laughed a little. “She was kicking up such a ruckus about not being able to enter Nchuand-Zel. I stood up for her, and Calcelmo fired me.” Aelyn shrugged. “Then we came across the advertisement for Auryen’s Museum. We’ve been working for him since.”

“Well, now I know you’re a liar.” Val grinned, Aelyn snapped to him, clearly offended. “Not much to tell? That was far from the truth.” Aelyn relaxed and rolled her eyes.

“What about you?” She tilted her chin in his direction, looking up at him. There was something about the gesture he found pleasing.

“I was born at sea, not quite sure where. My mother always said that must be why I couldn’t wait to get back. I grew up on land in Cyrodiil, though. Imperial City. It was just my mother and I back then, while my father was… away. I left home as soon as I was old enough, joined the crew of my father’s ship, then eventually I got my own ship. I’ve sailed from Anvil to Blacklight and seen everywhere the waters touch in between. It feels a bit strange to be back on dry land for so long.”

“Do you miss the sea?” Aelyn watched his face as he spoke, he had a way of tying his words seamlessly to his expression, it made her feel almost like she was seeing through his eyes, feeling what he was feeling.

“Not as much as I thought I would. A ship represented freedom to me when I was a boy. As I’ve gotten older well, illusions shatter.” He was bitter, maybe a little jaded.

She couldn’t blame him. They hadn’t spoken much about the conditions under which Aelyn had found him. Just that his First Mate, Fathis had framed him and led the mutiny of his crew. He’d never even asked how she knew about Fathis. She wondered how he was going to take it when he found he was dead.

“Val, about Fathis…” She was hesitant to bring it up but she felt he needed to know. He looked up at her from his drink, but his eyes were burning with anger at just the mention of him. So, maybe there were a few unprocessed feelings still there. “I’m sorry, I should have told you sooner but, I found him when I was trying to track you down. He was on the side of the road leading out of Solitude, bleeding out. He still had the map to that island on his person. There wasn’t anything I could do, he died. He’s dead.” There was pause, he looked back to his tankard, silent for a few beats.

“Good. I hope he rots in Oblivion.” Val was radiating a murderous rage, but Aelyn knew better. It was a rage born of grief and guilt. She’d felt that before. Grief at the circumstances that were beyond one’s control, that led to tragedy. Guilt that another choice might have had things turn out differently.

“Val-” She softly laid a hand on his shoulder; he snatched it away almost instantly.

“He framed me for theft and turned my crew against me. Don’t think I haven’t thought about what that means. He betrayed me.” His grip on her hand softened a little.

“I get it. Listen, I just- I hope you don’t blame yourself.” Aelyn watched him flinch at her words. “You can talk to me.” Val took a deep breath before letting her hand go and turning back to his drink.

“I’ve spent my whole life surrounded by people who would knife you in your sleep for a couple of septims. Show too much of yourself to someone like that, well, it’ll be used against you. Honesty doesn’t come easily to me.” He shifted on the bar stool a little, he wasn’t used to being so open with anyone. He couldn’t deny that there was something about Aelyn that made him want to hope he could trust her.

“I’m not out to get you, Val.” The clear blue of her eyes, that unwavering gaze, had him believing her.

“I sailed with Fathis for almost… Twenty years? Before I had her, another man captained the Dark Rose.  We were close as family until one day we weren’t. I took command after he left and it seemed natural for Fathis to take my place as first mate. I thought he was my best friend, right up until the moment he tried to have me killed. Fortunately for me, my predecessor had ‘fond memories of our time together’.  He graciously left me alive so I could die at my convenience on a deserted island. The only reason I didn’t was blind luck that you found me.” He paused again, taking a deep breath. “I know you’re not like either of those men. I am trying.”

“I’m not saying you need to tell me everything right this second. It’s a lot to process. You spent nearly your whole life on the sea. I can’t imagine it’s an easy thing to let go of, then throw in all that’s happened aside from that? I think I can understand why you might be having a little difficulty...” She had been wondering why he hadn’t even attempted to recover the ship, or get revenge, he barely even spoke about it.

“That life… I was ready to leave it behind. You could say it was a forced opportunity to start something new. I had an out, and you presented a serendipitous way to move forward. I don’t think I’ve done much to express it but, I am grateful.” He looked her in the eyes as he said it, and Aelyn felt her stomach do a little flip. She quickly looked down at the bar, pressing her lips together.

“It-It’s nothing to thank me for.” She tried to look away, feeling her face heat up. She wasn’t used to praise or gratitude, it left her feeling strange and off balance. “Anyways, I should get going.” Aelyn stood up abruptly. “I’m supposed to meet up with Brynjolf in the Ragged Flagon.” She stepped back from Val who had been enjoying the unexpected blush on her face. His expression suddenly soured at the mention of Brynjolf.

“Maybe I should go with you.” Val started to stand.

“No, no, that’s alright. I assume you have plans already.” Aelyn sent him a nervous smile, Val frowned again.

“Aelyn.” Her name fell from his lips and just like the last time her eyes drifted up to meet his gaze. She bit her lips absently; the way it sounded each time he said it made her feel overly warm. He watched her for a moment, the slight pink tinge to her cheeks, the way she inhaled sharply. So, she liked it too, he realized. She liked it when he said her name almost as much as he did. He stepped closer to her, “Where you’re concerned, I’m always available.”

There was no half-lidded gaze, no charming smile, or suggestive arch of his brow. He meant it. Aelyn felt her heart start to pound. It was easy to ignore his silly attempts at flattery or flirting, he was hardly ever serious. But when he was genuine, she realized, she had no defense. It seemed he was also making the same realization as she was and it surprised them both. Firstly, that he was being genuine, and secondly that she was so susceptible to it. They both stood there for a long awkward moment until he started to lean forward, reaching out to her. She stepped back.

“I should go.” She said, trying not to sound breathless.

“Right.” He tried not to sound disappointed.

“It’s just a business call.” Aelyn felt the need to add. Val nodded and then smiled folding his arms over his chest.

Val watched her practically run out of the Bee and Barb. He chuckled a little, both at himself and at her. There was a soft heart underneath that stoic exterior of hers, one that wasn’t used to kindness or authentic gratitude. He sighed deeply, knowing he wasn’t particularly good at either.

Chapter Text

                Aelyn found Brynjolf in the Ragged Flagon easily enough. Thankfully the walk there had given her time to clear her head. Brynjolf was sitting at the bar, talking with a dark-haired Redguard woman. They seemed rather familiar with each other. The way she brushed her hand down his arm, the way he smiled at her, it reminded Aelyn how Val had been with that blonde in the Bee and Barb earlier. The woman was smiling, but also glancing about the tavern. When the woman spotted Aelyn, she gave Brynjolf a little nudge.

                “Looks like your next appointment has arrived.” She said leaning toward him as she smirked before sauntering away. Brynjolf turned to see Aelyn wandering into the Flagon, and he looked more than a little pleased.

                “Well, color me impressed Lass, I wasn’t sure I’d see you again.” He leaned back against the bar, still seated on his stool. Aelyn stopped short of him. She looked around the Flagon, it was noticeably emptier than it had been the previous night.

                “Why did you think I wouldn’t show up?” Aelyn shifted on her feet, unsure if she should remain standing or not.

                “You looked a little… Uncomfortable when you left the marketplace.” He sounded concerned like her opinion might have mattered to him.

                “It’s true I was. The job was easy enough though.” The gold he’d given her was nice, but not nearly enough. She wondered where Delvin was, hoping he’d have a price on that gem soon.

                “Reliable and headstrong? You’re turning out to be quite the prize.” He purred, his gaze roamed over her appreciatively. He stood up, regarding her with hooded eyes. “Now that I’ve whetted your appetite, I have a few more jobs available. If you’re interested.”

                “I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be in town.” Aelyn began, she had gone down there to thank him for the job but that was supposed to be the end of it. A strange expression passed over his face, too quick for Aelyn to get a read on it, but it left an uneasy feeling in her.

                “Really?” He sounded disappointed. “Why is that?”

                “I was only here to get a gem appraised and find a buyer. Delvin should be getting back to us sometime today or tomorrow with a price. I’ll be leaving after that.” Brynjolf had been watching her like a hawk until she mentioned Delvin and he smiled slowly.

                “Is that so?” Brynjolf reached out to touch a lock of her hair. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed to hear that.” She didn’t jump away or glare at him this time, “I was hoping we could work together a little more.” He stepped closer to her.

                “As entertaining as that sounds, I have matters elsewhere that need to be handled.” Aelyn met his eyes and found them intently trained on her, his smile belaying a desire she didn’t dare name.

                “Matters that require coin.” He said it like he already knew it was the truth, it was just a guess but the way her brow bent told him he was right.

                “Well, yes, but-” Aelyn had begun to step back when he grabbed her hand.

                “Then let me help you.” He smiled, his thumb caressing the palm of her hand. “You’re clearly, quite talented, and my organization could use your skills. There’s plenty of coin to make if you stick around just a little while.” She bit her lip; he moved almost imperceptibly closer. She could feel the heat from his body, he smelled like lilacs and honey, and yet she couldn’t shake the feeling that he was circling her for the kill.

                “I’m not sure-” She started to pull away again when he leaned in close to her ear.

                “You know what I think? I think you want to, but you’re holding yourself back. For what I wonder?” He stepped back from her and Aelyn felt the chill of the cistern’s damp air in his absence.

                “What kind of job?” She asked suddenly. Brynjolf grinned.

                “Nothing someone of your caliber couldn’t easily handle. I’m afraid you might even find them boring.” He sighed and shook his head, still smiling.

                “But I’ll get a cut?” Aelyn folded her arms over her chest.

                “Of course.” He purred. “Now, let’s get down to the details.”

                It was late by the time Aelyn returned to the Bee and Barb. She climbed the stairs up to the small double room that she and Val were sharing. Aelyn tried to be quiet as she opened to door, only to find that Val wasn’t there. She sighed deeply, unsure if she was relieved or disappointed. Aelyn dropped onto her little cot and stared at the ceiling for a moment.

                Brynjolf had tasked her to sneak into the bunkhouse to steal a statue of Dibella. The statue had looked old but well cared for, something someone had dedicated a lot of time to over the years. He had instructed her to leave a letter on the owner’s nightstand but, they had sounded occupied. Aelyn slid the letter silently under the door. The gold she’d earned was still not enough, but better than nothing. Aelyn was to meet Brynjolf again the following evening for another simple job. The simple jobs were easy and quick money, but also easy to walk away from. When Delvin inevitably got their gem appraised, she would be leaving Riften. 

                Val didn’t show back up until close to noon the next day. He looked a little worse for wear. Aelyn was sitting in a corner of the Bee and Barb, reading a book on Tiber Septim. She lifted a brow, watching him stumble into a chair across from her.

                “You look… Well.” She lied. His hair was uncharacteristically disheveled, dark circles under his eyes spoke to a rough night.

                “When did you get in?” He asked.

                “Not too late. I had another errand for Brynjolf, nothing too complex, but not too lucrative either.” Val made a face.

                “You came back last night?” He seemed surprised.

                “Yeah? Why wouldn’t I?” Aelyn was clearly confused, Val looked upset.

                “Last night was a mistake.” He groaned.

                “I’m guessing the blonde was a bit much?” Aelyn smirked; Val leveled a glare at her. She was trying to be a good sport but, she didn’t like the idea of him spending the night with that woman. What he did behind closed doors really wasn’t her business.

                “First, I was incredibly drunk. Whatever Talin-Jae mixes into those ‘Cliff-Racers’ should be illegal.” Val said referring to the specialty drinks that Keerava’s partner served at the Bee and Barb. “Secondly, that blonde is insane. Normally I’m not against being tied up but she took me back to the bunk-house and-”

                “The Bunk-House?” Aelyn interrupted him, her heart started to race.

                “Yes, the Bunk-House, apparently, she’s the owner. Anyways, after torturing me all night, she starts shrieking this morning about her statue missing.” Val laid his head on the table. “Doesn’t anyone have any respect for the hung-over?” Aelyn stood up so fast she nearly knocked her chair over. Val jerked his head up at her sudden movement.

                “I have to go.” She declared and left Val sitting in the Bee and Barb, hungover and confused as she bolted out of the place.

                She didn’t like it. It wasn’t her business. They didn’t even have that sort of relationship but Aelyn felt ill, knowing that he had been the reason that woman had been moaning so lewdly. The sound was running on repeat in her head, and if she didn’t keep moving, she was sure she was going to vomit. Worse yet, she hated the sick feeling of satisfaction she got knowing that ‘Haelga’ the one she’d robbed, was the blonde who’d spent the night with Val. She was better than that. Wasn’t she? Aelyn was starting to fear that maybe she wasn’t. Even more disturbing was realizing where her feet had led her. Back to The Ragged Flagon. She was about to turn around, to find anywhere else to be when a familiar voice called out to her.

                “Lass?” Brynjolf stood up, sounding concerned.

                “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to come here; I’m just going to-” Aelyn was already walking away when he caught up to her. He stopped her with a hand on her shoulder, that slid to her waist when she turned to face him.

                “What’s got you all out of sorts? Are you alright?” He was tilting her face up towards him to get a better look at her.

                “No, no.” Aelyn stepped back out of his arms. He made another expression Aelyn couldn’t read, his eyes always seemed to make her feel anxious.

                “Come with me.” Brynjolf took her hand and led her to a small room in the back of Flagon.

                It looked mostly like a storage closet but there was a table with two chairs, and a bed crammed into one corner. The rest of the space was stacked with barrels and boxes. Brynjolf held the door open for her as she stepped inside. He closed the door behind him and gently pulled Aelyn toward him, he was about to wrap his arms around her when she pushed him away.

                “I was only tryin’ to comfort you, Lass, no ulterior motive.” He held up his hands in a placating manner. “Will you tell me what’s wrong now?”

                “Don’t.” She shook her head, “I don’t handle it well.” He stepped closer to her again.

                “Don’t try to comfort you?” He sounded like he was trying to calm a startled horse. Aelyn nodded. “Don’t handle it well, how?” He reached for her hand again, rubbing soothing little circles into the back of it with his thumb.

                She was vulnerable in this state. Her heart was still racing though the reason was becoming muddied. Aelyn knew she needed to be by herself, that it would be safer for her to find a place to sort her emotions out, alone. She simply shook her head; he’d seen the chink in her armor. One hug, a sympathetic embrace, and she would crumble completely, and of all the people to see it, it had to be Brynjolf.

                “Can you tell me what’s brought you here in such a state?” He sounded patient and calm. Aelyn took a deep breath.

                “I think I might not be a good person.” She looked up at him, eyes wide with concern.

                “Lass, I can tell you that bad people are rarely concerned with whether they’re good or bad.” He didn’t let go of her hand.

                “I think you’re wrong. I think the worst people are the ones who think they’re good, and they’re not.” She paused for a moment; her eyes cast down to the floor. “I liked it.”

                “Liked what?” He moved closer to her again, his voice a low purr.

                “Knowing that she was fucking someone in her room, and I was stealing her most valuable possession while she did it.” Aelyn clenched her teeth, her jaw tight, her vision blurred with unshed tears.

It was wrong, she knew it. It was a feeling born of jealousy because she was incapable of admitting that she was getting attached already. A few nice words, a couple of lingering glances and she was already feeling scared that she was going to lose it? Angry that someone else had something she wanted? It was pathetic, and she knew better. She knew the cost of getting too close. But that feeling, that satisfaction that lurked in her, knowing Haelga had shrieked in panic. That Aelyn had stolen her statue while she was with Val, completely unaware… It was addicting, stronger than any skooma, and she knew she was going to do it again the second Brynjolf asked her to. Aelyn knew she was in trouble. Brynjolf pulled her close to him once again, his arm around her waist, their bodies pressed together.

                “I asked you not to comfort me.” Aelyn’s eyes narrowed.

                “I’m not.” He smirked, tilting her face up to his as he kissed her.

                His kiss was so hungry, she barely had time to react. The way he moved his lips against hers was both demanding and dominating. He urged her to open up to him, rubbing his thumb over the hinge of her jaw, licking and sucking her lips until she conceded. Then it was his tongue, sliding along hers, tasting her, demanding more. She was gripping the front of his shirt, trying desperately to stay grounded, to not get too caught up in the moment. All the while, Brynjolf’s other hand was sneaking its way under her shirt. Aelyn pulled away, gasping for air, and he seemed reluctant to give her space. It was like he still wanted more.

                “I thought you said you had no ulterior motives?” Her fingers were still wound in the fabric of his shirt. He chuckled a little at that.

                “Turns out I’m a thief and a liar.” He grinned as he leaned in to kiss her again.

Chapter Text

                She felt dazed, her lips were swollen from his kisses. Brynjolf held her jaw, letting his thumb trace her lower lip before he leaned in for one last taste. Aelyn wanted to chase after his kiss, but instead tried to fix her clothing. Her hair was still disheveled from his fingers running through it.

                “You should stay the night.” He murmured in her ear. Aelyn resisted the urge to press herself against him.

                “I need to get going.” She let her hands wander over his chest.

                “I can’t persuade you otherwise?” His lips caressed the space behind her earlobe and down the side of her neck. She stepped out of his embrace with a smirk.

                “You still have a job for me.” Aelyn turned toward the door and started to walk out of the room.

                “I do. There’s someone who wants to meet you first.” As they entered the Ragged Flagon, Aelyn paused.

                “Who is that?” She asked. He slid his hand up her arm until his hand was cradling the side of her jaw. His eyes were intense for a moment as if he was considering something before he responded.

                “In a little while.” He smiled again before turning back toward the hallway that led to the room they just left.

                Aelyn turned back to the Ragged Flagon, to find a familiar set of eyes on her. Val was sitting next to Delvin at a table not far from her. How long had she been gone? He’d seemed like he was about to fall over when she’d left, yet there he was, hale and healthy. Aelyn wasn’t ready to talk to him yet, she needed some time. Time to wrap her head around why she’d ran out in first place, and then, to figure out how she felt about what had happened with Brynjolf. She was about to sit down at the bar when Delvin called out to her.

                “Aelyn, come sit with us.” He grinned, waving her over. She gave a tight little smile, feeling too awkward to refuse. She slowly made her way over and sat down in the third seat at their table. “You had business down here?”

                “Just picking up a few odd jobs to keep some change in my pocket.” She smiled serenely. Delvin nodded not making eye contact with her. Meanwhile, Val was still watching her, unusually silent. He was observing her she realized, trying to get a read on her.

                “Oh, where are my manners, let me get you a drink!” Delvin got up to get her a drink from the bar.

“No, no, Delvin, I can get my own.” Aelyn went to stand up, eager to be out from under Val’s scrutinizing gaze.

“Don’t be silly Lass, I’m a gentleman.” Delvin was already walking over to the bar and flagging Vekel down. There was an awkward pause between Aelyn and Val.

                “It was you, wasn’t it?” He finally asked.

                “What was me?” Aelyn wasn’t sure what he meant; her mind was still preoccupied with a certain red-headed thief.

                “The statue,” Val said quietly, and Aelyn’s stomach dropped.

                “Does it matter?” She didn’t meet his eyes, instead choosing to watch Delvin.

                “Is that why you went running to Brynjolf?” Val leaned forward, reaching out and fixing her mussed hair.

                “I’m sorry what?” Her eyes were suddenly angry. “I’m not sure what you’re implying.”

                “I think you know exactly what I’m implying and it doesn’t take a genius to put two and two together. You took off, and I find you here. You came out of the backroom with him, and suddenly he has his hands all over you.” Val’s voice was completely level and at ease, Aelyn blushed. “I’m asking you if where I was last night is why you came here.”

                “Don’t be ridiculous.” Aelyn went to stand up feeling embarrassed. Val stood up with her, his hand on hers to keep her from running off again.  

                “Who’s being ridiculous?” He caught her eyes and held her gaze for a moment. There was something about him, something left of the cutthroat pirate, a vestige of his old life he hadn’t yet shed. Aelyn’s brow bent; warning bells were starting to go off in her head. She had to divert his attention, she was about to be caught. Aelyn felt a real fear, that he would see how awful she was, that she’d have to explain that ugliness in her.

                “I hired you to help on an expedition,” Aelyn said cooly. “An expedition that I need to fund. We’ve been in Riften for a week, with no progress on the gem.”

                “I’m just warning you, don’t get attached. Brynjolf won't have the time of day for you once your business is done. Trust me, I know his type.” Something like a shadow lingered in his expression. Regret.

                “Not everyone is like you.” Aelyn stepped back just as Delvin returned with another round of drinks for everyone. He glanced between the two of them glaring at one another.

                “Everything alright here?” Delvin asked setting down the drinks.

                “Peachy. Just clearing up a little misunderstanding.” Val smiled congenially, giving Aelyn a sidelong glance as she sat back down.

                “Well, I wanted to tell you that it’s going to take a little longer on that stone.” Delvin sighed; Val tilted his head in contemplation as he said it. “Since it’s so rare, it’s been harder to find anyone who knows anything about it.” It made sense, it was logical.

                “Do you have a time frame for us? We don’t have forever to wait around, Delvin.” Val leaned back in his chair.

                “Trust me, I’m working on it.” Delvin smiled, and Aelyn immediately knew he was lying, and from the look on Val’s face so did he, but why wasn’t he saying anything? Aelyn sipped her drink wondering why Delvin would lie about such a thing.

                Val kept up a polite and light-hearted conversation with Delvin. Aelyn had to hand it to him, there was no way she would have been able to do such a thing. She wasn’t good at small talk. She didn’t particularly like people in general, and when she had to speak to them about nothing it was practically torture. Yet, he did it with ease. He was charming and funny, but whenever he glanced her way, she could tell. He was seething underneath. She had crossed the line, she knew it, and she needed to tell him she was sorry. He didn’t deserve what she had said, least of all from her.

                The walk back to the Bee and Barb was oppressive. Neither Val nor Aelyn spoke much. A mist was rolling in from the lake, creating a damp and gloomy atmosphere. Aelyn felt isolated in a way she hadn’t in a long while, not since coming to Skyrim. Her conscience was weighing on her, the jobs for Brynjolf left her feeling conflicted. Brynjolf left her feeling conflicted and she didn’t understand why Delvin would lie about the stone or why Val hadn’t said anything.

                “Val.” She stopped walking, if she was going to try and untangle this mess, she knew one place to start. He sighed and turned around to face her. They were passing the Temple of Mara, the tall stone wall that sheltered the temple’s courtyard created a shadow from the brightly lit torches inside.

                “What?” He asked quietly, it was clear that he was still pissed. His tone let her know he had little intention of hearing anything she had to say.

                “Hey!” Aelyn tried to get his attention, to stop and listen to her, to take her seriously.

                “If you’ve got something to say then just spit it out.” He said curtly.

                “I’m trying to apologize!” Aelyn felt her hackles start to rise again.

                “Do a better job of it then.” He snapped.

                “How dare-” She started in on him, her anger rising to the surface, when he stepped into her space. Her back collided with the stone wall behind her, and he didn’t let up. He leaned in close to her, his eyes on hers.

                “I’m a pirate. Do you know what that means?” He said lowly in a terrifyingly calm voice. “That means that I’ve no problems getting my hands dirty to accomplish my goals. Lie, cheat, steal, murder, it didn’t matter. I used people without a second thought. That pathetic excuse for a guild? None of them are any different.”

                “What about me?” She suddenly asked.

                “What about you?” Val repeated, confused.

                “Are you using me?” She stood up straight, looking him in the eye.

                “That’s different.” He took a step back.

                “How so?” She pressed, “I’m just wondering where the line is Val, that separates you from them. Why is it possible for you to be different but not any of them?” He stepped away from her again.

                “Forget it.” He turned from her, leaving her standing in the dark alone as he stalked off into the mist ahead of her.

                Aelyn heaved a sigh. This was her fault, wasn’t it? Something dark and cold was settling inside her, something she didn’t recognize. Something she was afraid of.

                Val was sitting at the bar, working diligently on being too drunk to remember why he was angry when someone sat down on the bar stool next to him. It wasn’t anything in particular that had him glancing over, but he noticed the fine make of the man’s robe, the intricate embroidery along the hem, the richness of the red satin overlaid on a soft vanilla leather. Val took another deep draw from his drink, and then openly looked at the man next to him.

                His hair was a deep rich brown, tied up in an artfully tousled way. He had bold features, high sculpted cheekbones, long dark lashes, a straight aquiline nose, plush full lips. His deep olive complexion gave him away as an Imperial, the robes gave him away as a mage. He seemed out of place. What was a well-dressed Imperial Mage doing in Stormcloak friendly Riften?

                “Can I help you?” The man gave Val a sidelong look, arching a brow at him.

                “I certainly hope so.” A smirk deepened the corner of his mouth, as he contemplated the mage. “I couldn’t help but wonder what such a well-dressed mage is doing… Here.” Val waved a hand contemptuously about the inn. The man smiled, and leaned toward him.

                “Looking for work. Or maybe someone to enjoy a drink with. The name’s Marcurio.” This would be easy. Enough drink and a warm body and Val would be forgetting again.

                “Marcurio.” He tested it out, it felt lacking. It didn’t matter. “What do you study?”

                “Destruction magic, I’m quite skilled.” Marcurio smiled, letting his thigh brush accidentally against Val’s. 

                Aelyn opened the door to the tavern feeling worn. She glanced around, having found her resolve to try and apologize again. She spotted Val, sitting at the bar with a rather good-looking man. She watched his hand slide up his arm as he leaned in closer to him, and Aelyn deflated once again. There was no misreading his intentions there. She couldn’t even face herself, so why was she thinking she had any resolve to face him? She turned toward the stairs instead and climbed the steps to their room.

                Aelyn took her time, braiding her hair and washing her face before she climbed into bed. She blew out the candle on the nightstand and stared at the ceiling. This was her fault, she’d said something awful to him, he had every right to be angry with her. She felt like things were spiraling out of her control, little threads slipping through her fingers. She tried to close her eyes, but the sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach wouldn’t let sleep find her. Aelyn knew she deserved it, an unspoken penance for how she’d felt earlier over Haelga.

                Jealousy was an awful thing. She knew it came from places where she felt insecure, she knew that she should probably just be honest with herself and with Val about it. But she was coward and she’d rather drown in this sickness than admit anything to him. Things were better off as they were. No one could be allowed in, to see how dark she was inside, how twisted up and ugly.

                She had not felt anything warm in her heart for a long time after she had killed Ignus. That had been her fault too. Aelyn hadn’t been paying attention, even though she knew Dwemer Ruins were full of traps. She’d stepped on a pressure plate, and they’d had no time to react. The great spinning blades shot up from the floor and cut him down right before her eyes. She’d killed him with her carelessness. She tried to make herself suffer for it, told herself that she deserved everything that happened at The Synod because of it. Yet, no amount of penance had eased that darkness.

                Until she had met Remi. A ray of something soft and warm had found its way in, a small hole, a little crack in the shell that had surrounded her heart. With Remi had come Auryen, and for a moment she felt like maybe she’d found her place in the world. Somewhere where she was wanted. Then, she had found Val, and while she hated to admit it, he’d already left his mark on her. Terror seized her, fear like she’d never known wrapped around her as she curled up into a little ball under the covers. She had things to lose. Precious things, and worst of all it might be her own fault if they broke and left her behind.

                The door to their room opened and closed as someone stepped in. Aelyn was turned away from door but somehow she knew it was Val, there was always that charge to air when he entered the room. He sat down in the chair next to her bed with a deep sigh. Aelyn didn’t dare move, pretending to be asleep.

                “You were right.” He said lowly. “I’m not any better than them.” There was a long pause, “But I want to be.” He rested his elbows on his knees. “I don’t think you understand how much of that is because of you. I wake up each day feeling a little lighter. Because of you. My world is changing, for the better, because of you. Things I would have done without a second thought… Now I’m worried about how you’ll think of me, and I don’t really know what to do with that.” He shifted in the chair, and she felt his fingers stroke her hair.

                He leaned over her, and pressed a soft kiss to the top her head. Val stood up and shuffled over to his cot on the other side of the room. Aelyn listened over the thudding of her heart in ears, as he climbed into bed. She was absolutely not going to sleep after that. She’d wanted to sit up, tell him he was wrong, but she’d trapped herself by pretending to sleep. Even as his breathing changed into that slow even rhythm of rest, she didn’t dare move. A question kept popping up over and over in her mind, what exactly was she to Val? And, did she really want to know the answer?

Chapter Text

                She couldn’t sleep, and after a few hours of fitful tossing and turning, she’d wandered out into the dark early morning mist. Aelyn found a spot on the edge of the dock and sat down, letting her mind be empty and still for a few hours. Finally, after the sun was rising at last, her eyes started to feel heavy. She meandered back into the inn and climbed the stairs to their room. Val was still soundly asleep when she collapsed into her bed.

                It was well after midday when she woke. Aelyn rolled over; Val’s cot was empty. She felt blank, like anything other than her current state was an effort. She’d slept for hours and still she felt exhausted. The door to the room opened abruptly.

                “Ah, you’re finally awake. I thought you were going to sleep until night. You feelin’ all right?” Val was back to his normal chipper self. Aelyn felt like sludge.

                “I’m fine.” She rolled over onto her back staring blankly at the ceiling.

                “You’re not sick or somethin’ are you?” He peered at her.

                “No, not sick.” Aelyn exhaled deeply.  

                “Then get up, let’s go.” He started to pull her clothes out of her pack.

                “I’m not going anywhere. What are you doing? Stop going through my stuff!” She popped up, snatching her bag back from him.

                “I’m picking out an outfit for you. Gods know you have questionable tastes when it comes to what you’re wearing.” He tutted and shook his head.

                “Val, what are you talking about.” Aelyn cradled her head in her hands, she was too tired for this. Val gestured at her current outfit that she’d fallen asleep in as if the answer was obvious. She flopped backward onto the bed. “You are the worst at getting people out of bed.” She complained.

                “Admittedly, I have more practice getting people into bed rather than out, so you might have a point there.” He stared at her for a moment. “Get up. You don’t get to laze around unless I can too.” He threw an outfit at her. Aelyn let it hit her and still didn’t move.

                “I don’t think I can.” She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so grey. She let her eyes flutter closed, it was easier to sleep. Val crossed the room to her, letting his knee rest on the edge of her bed as he leaned over her.

                “Aelyn.” Her eyes flew open.

                “I hate the way you say my name.” She looked away, her cheeks heating up. He grabbed her face and turned it toward him.

                “You’re a terrible liar. You blush every time I say it.” He smirked briefly as she flushed a deep shade of red before he turned serious. “Now get up and get dressed.” He stood and headed toward the door, “You have ten minutes before I come back in and do it myself.” The second the door clicked closed Aelyn shot up and started getting dressed. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind that he’d make good on his threat.

                She tied her hair up, splashed some water on her face, and rushed down the stairs. She’d half expected Val to be waiting impatiently by the door, but he wasn’t. She surveyed the inn, had he finally found his good sense and left without her? Aelyn was just about to turn around when she felt a familiar charge in the air.

                “You were in quite the hurry.” He said over her shoulder. He’d waited for her outside the room, she had run out so quickly that she hadn’t seen him standing there.

                “I thought-” She began but the words died before she could get them out. He placed a hand on her other shoulder, guiding her toward a table. He pulled out a chair for her and motioned for her to take a seat. She sat down obediently, her brow furrowed in confusion. “You’re acting weird.”

                “You’re acting weird.” He huffed sitting down across from her. “When was the last time you ate?”

                “Um,” Aelyn was stunned, why was he even concerned about that? When was the last time she had eaten? Maybe breakfast the day prior?

                “That’s what I thought.” He stood up and went over to the bar. She really couldn’t make heads or tails of him these days. He came back and sat down sliding a cup of water toward her. “Drink.”

                “Why are you being so bossy?” Aelyn took the cup and once again did as he said and drank. It felt like her body was finally waking up, instead of sluggishly dragging along.

                “I didn’t realize how terrible you were at taking care of yourself.” He folded his arms over his chest watching her finish the cup of water. Still, he couldn’t help but grin and tease her a little. “I also didn’t realize you were so obedient. I might need to test that out sometime.” Aelyn shot him a glare, which made him laugh.

                Talen-Jei dropped off a plate of food and a pitcher of water at the table. Val looked up from Aelyn and thanked him before he took her cup and filled it again, pushing it back toward her.

                “Now, eat.” He nodded to the plate. She picked up a slice of bread and began to chew dutifully when she realized she was simply following his order again. Aelyn paused, frowning.

                “Listen, Val-” She started but he shook his head.

                “After you eat.” He pushed the plate toward her. She rolled her eyes and started eating again. “So, I was thinking.” He began, “Delvin is obviously delaying with information about that jewel. I can’t really think of a reason why other than someone in the guild is telling him to withhold it.”

                “Why would they do that?” She asked, pulling a few pieces of fruit off the plate in front of her.

                “I’m not sure, but it worries me. I think it would be best to keep our guard up around them.” Val smiled as she pushed the empty plate back toward him. “Good job, should I give you a little reward for being so well-behaved?” He stood up and held out his hand to her. “Come on, you have somewhere to be, don’t you?”

                Aelyn took his hand and stood up, still giving him a curious look. He was obviously not angry with her anymore. Though, she still felt the need to tell him she was wrong. Especially after what he had said the night before.

                “Val. About last night-” She began.

                “No.” He started to walk toward the door.

                “No? Will you just listen to me for a moment?” Aelyn tried to step in front of his path but he simply kept walking.

                “No.” He repeated trying not to grin as he reached out and turned her head toward the door. She made a frustrated noise.

                “I’m sor-” To oblivion with it, she had the intention of just telling him whether he wanted to listen or not, but he cut her off again.

                “Don’t be. You were right.” He started to push her out the door.

                “I wasn’t.” She protested. Finally, he stopped, sighing deeply.

                “All right, out with it then. Since you seem incapable of letting it go.” He folded his arms over his chest waiting impatiently for her to say what she needed to.

                “I was wrong, and I’m sorry.” Aelyn stood directly in front of him, her hands clenched into fists.

                “No, you weren’t, there’s not much that separates me from any one of those guys from the guild. Except maybe that I’m better at it than they are. I’d never stoop so low for pocket change. Also, I would never live in a sewer.” He shook his head in disgust.

                “Val, you separated yourself from them the moment you decided not to go back to the Dark Rose.” That got his attention. “You’ve been moving farther and farther away from that version of yourself every day, and you deserved better from me than that. I’m sorry.” She was looking him in the eyes, steady and unwavering. His hands dropped to his sides, and for a moment she thought he might have been at a loss for words.

                “Apology accepted.” He said as he laid a hand on each of her shoulders. “Better?”

                “Val-” She started to get that crease between her brows when she was about to argue, but he was already turning her toward the door. He started to push her toward it again, she finally caved and let him. He had been right, after all, she did have somewhere to be.

                “Mercer. This is the one I was talking about..." Brynjolf had led her into another larger cistern. She had finally found out where he’d been going in the dead-end hallway. There was a cabinet with a false back, that opened up into a tunnel leading to the Thieves Guild hideout.

                “Oh, right.” An older-looking man stared down at her disapprovingly, his dark hair was greasily slicked back, his eyes heavily hooded, and his skin marked with signs of a pox from when he was younger. "This better not be another waste of the Guild's resources, Brynjolf." Mercer looked her over with a sneer. "Before we continue, I want to make one thing perfectly clear. If you play by the rules, you walk away rich. You break the rules and you lose your share. No debates, no discussions... you do what we say when we say it. Do I make myself clear?"

                “Perfectly.” She swallowed her anger at being spoken to like a child.

                "Good. Then I think it's time we put your expertise to the test." Mercer stroked his chin suddenly with a smile.

                "Wait a moment, you're not talking about Goldenglow, are you? Even our little Vex couldn't get in." Brynjolf sounded concerned.

                “You claim this recruit possesses an aptitude for our line of work. If so, let her prove it. Goldenglow Estate is critically important to one of our largest clients. However, the owner has suddenly decided to take matters into his own hands and shut us out. He needs to be taught a lesson. Brynjolf will provide you with the details." Mercer left her with one last greasy smile before he walked away. Aelyn turned to Brynjolf with a confused look on her face.

                “Goldenglow?” She asked hesitantly.

                "Goldenglow Estate is a bee farm; they raise the wretched little things for honey. It's owned by some smart-mouth wood elf named Aringoth. He needs to be taught a lesson. The job is to burn down three of the estate's hives and also, clear out the safe in the main house." Brynjolf sighed and shook his head. “I’m not sure what Mercer is thinking, sending you in there.”

                “What were you saying about Vex?” Aelyn crossed her arms over her chest.

                “Ah, Vex is a part of our organization, you can probably find her in the Flagon. Goldenglow Estate brought in a mountain of gold for the Guild. You could almost call it our sweetest deal. Then out of the clear blue, Aringoth stops sending us our cut. Mercer was... well, angry to put it kindly. So, we sent in Vex and found out he hired a bunch of mercenaries to guard the place."

                “Mercenaries? Not Riften guards?” Aelyn clarified.

                "Aye. Aringoth sent the city guard packing and fortified the entire island. In fact, Vex barely made it out of there alive. You should talk to her about it before you go. One more thing, a lot is riding on this job, Lass.” He stepped in front of her, his voice suddenly changing from charming to intimidating. “Don’t make me look foolish by fucking it up.” A chill went down Aelyn’s spine at how quickly he changed character. “You don’t want to piss off this client, it would be bad news for all of us.”

                “Who’s this client? Why are they so dangerous?” Aelyn stepped back from him.

                “Maeven Black-Briar. One word from her and you’d spend the rest of the fourth era in prison if she doesn’t have you killed outright. She’s the real power in Riften, nothing happens here without her saying so.” He leaned forward, impressing his point upon her. Aelyn nodded.

                Aelyn found Val in the Ragged Flagon, chatting up some femme fatale-looking blonde dressed in leather. The leather was a bit tacky and she looked like maybe she was trying too hard at ‘edgy’, but otherwise, she could see the appeal. Aelyn plopped down into a chair with a huff.

                She’d need to scout out the estate. There was no way she’d get in there without at least a vague idea of the layout. Aelyn glanced over to where Val was laughing at something the blonde had said. She nearly jumped, hearing the chair next to her scrape across the floor.

                “Enjoyin’ the view?” Delvin smirked.

                “What brings you over?” Aelyn smiled in greeting.

                “You looked troubled. Why don’t ya tell me what’s botherin’ ya?” Aelyn sized him up for a moment.

                “What’s taking so long with that gem?” She cut right to the chase. Delvin blinked and then smiled.

                “You’re a sharp one aren’t ya?” He sat back looking at her a little differently.

                “Why did you lie about it?” She figured it was best to be frank with him. At this, Delvin raised his brow.

                “Lie? No, what I said was true. It is a rare gem, it does take longer to find information on such things.” He smiled, that same two-faced smile that they all seemed to have.

                “But not our gem. Our gem was pretty easy wasn’t it?” Her words were dangerously close to an accusation.

                “Watch yerself Lass, there’s an etiquette to be observed in these situations.” He warned her and waited for her to figure the game out.

                “What do you want?” Aelyn finally said, Delvin grinned widely.

                “That’s better. You really are smart as a whip.” He leaned back, smiling. “Nothing much really, just a little trinket. Inside Goldenglow estate, there a little bauble I’ve been lookin’ to get my hands on.”

                “How do you know-” She was about to ask how he even knew about her being sent to Goldenglow but he continued.

                “It’s a solid gold bee statue, crafted by a famous artist. Bring it back to me, and I’ll tell you about your gem.” He sounded much too chipper for effectively scamming her.

                “Fine. I’ll get your statue.” She sighed.

                “See, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” Delvin waved to Vekel, who brought a few mugs of ale over to their table.

                “Why is everything so round-about down here…” Aelyn muttered, taking a long drink from the mug placed in front of her. Delvin laughed.

                “Well, it’s like this, have you ever played poker? Can’t be showing the whole table your hand, you might have a pair of two’s, but if you can convince the others you’ve got a flush then the pot is yours.” It was a game. A game about money, and maybe Delvin’s little bee statue was a small part of hers, but it could be a larger cog in Delvin’s game. Delvin drank deeply from his mug.

                “Delvin, any idea where I can find someone called Vex?” Aelyn asked and Delvin tried to school his expression.

                “Uh, I think your friend is already getting acquainted with her.” He nodded toward the corner where Val stood with the blonde. They were both still smiling, but the mood had shifted, Aelyn frowned. Suddenly Val was headed toward their table with a smirk on his face. He pulled up a chair and sat down, still looking after the blonde.

                “You think I got a shot with Vex?” He asked to the table. “I kinda like her.” Both Delvin and Aelyn shot him a withering look.

                “You certainly have a type.” Aelyn rolled her eyes.

                “Hmm?” Val glanced her way, smiling at the look on her face. “What’s that?”

                “Blonde, tall, boobs.” Aelyn sank in her chair a little, “Though, I didn’t think you went for a cheap leather look.” She added in a clipped tone. Val laughed out loud.

                “I didn’t think you went for red-heads, but who’s judging?” He smiled broadly, intentionally provoking her. Aelyn glared at him; his little game was successfully pricking her last nerve.

                “It’s the eyes. Green is my favorite color.” She quipped and Val couldn’t help but chuckle.

                “Well, it certainly looks good on you.” He leaned back in his chair watching her with an amused expression. Aelyn flushed, feeling embarrassed, she’d walked right into that.

                “I suppose I have heard a few interesting things about Haelga and cheap leather. Something about a harness and a horker tusk?” She mused out loud after hearing Grelka going on about the strange order Haelga had put in with her at the Bee and Barb the previous night. Val’s face immediately dropped.

                “I told you already-” He opened his mouth to argue back.

                “You’re not talkin’ ‘bout Bryn are you?” Delvin suddenly interjected.

                “Wait-” Aelyn started to ask but overlapped with Val.

                “What?” Val exclaimed. Their heads both swiveled toward Delvin.

                “Uh, nothin’. Forget I said anythin’.” Delvin cleared his throat. “Anyways, best leave that one alone, I can promise you it won’t end well.” Delvin shook his head. Aelyn sat back a little, giving Delvin a calculating look. “There’s only one thing Brynjolf cares about and that’s money.”

                “Well hopefully, Val left Vex in a good mood.” Aelyn sighed as she stood up. She still needed details about Goldenglow.

                Vex was a Nord, and so therefore, Aelyn had to crane her neck to look up at her. Her blonde hair was so light that it looked nearly white in the low lighting of the Flagon. Her skin was pale and unblemished. She had light blue eyes and was built in that typical Nord way that was tall and muscular. If it wasn’t for the resting bitch-face, and bad attitude, she’d have been very popular by her looks.

               Not like Aelyn at all. While Aelyn was tall for a Breton, she was still short by everyone else’s standards. Her honey-brown hair was wavy, and unkempt, curling out of control at the slightest bit of humidity. She did her best to keep it tucked over her ears, hiding the little pointed tips from sight. Her half-elven blood was something most Bretons looked down on. She had that slight and wiry build, the same little pointed chin, and heart-shaped face most Bretons did, though some of her features were unmistakably elven. Her blue and orange eyes, the shape of her jaw, her ears, and her arched brow were all dead giveaways.

“So, you’re Brynjolf’s little protégé?” Vex’s gaze swept over Aelyn with an air of disappointment.

                “Brynjolf said to come to speak to you about Goldenglow.” Aelyn really just wanted to get down to business and not have to deal with any more scathing looks or stupid circular conversations.

                "Before we begin, I want to make two things perfectly clear. One, I'm the best infiltrator this rathole of a Guild's got, so if you think you're here to replace me, you're dead wrong. And two, you follow my lead and do exactly as I say... no questions, no excuses." Vex leaned over her in an intimidating way. Aelyn wasn’t sure what it was exactly that set her off, there were so many reasons to choose from. What she did know was she was at the end of her patience for the day.

                “Back off, I know the drill.” Aelyn snarled back, not giving Vex an inch. Vex looked at her a moment before a smile broke across her face.

                “Oh, now, you I like.” She said in a sultry low voice. Aelyn did step back at that, making Vex laugh again. That was not the reaction she had been expecting. “So, what do you want to know?” Vex regarded her with a slight smile and a flirtatious gaze.

                “I uh,” She could feel the tips of her ears turning red, she was not prepared for this type of interaction. “Heard you ran into some trouble.”

                "Hmph, yeah I did. That wood elf s'wit... He's a lot smarter than I expected.” Her tone changed to business quickly, “Can you believe that fetcher had more than tripled the guard? There must be eight of them in there. It was like he was daring us to come and get him. You’ll want to watch yourself in there, it would be a shame to lose a cute little thing like yourself right off the bat.” Aelyn’s face heated, she was sure she was glowing red.

                “Right, I will.”

                "There's an old sewer tunnel that dumps into the lake on the northwest side of the island. That's how I slipped in there. Should still be unguarded." Vex went to brush a lock of hair behind Aelyn’s ear and paused for a split second seeing the pointed tip, but ultimately ignored it. “I’d like to buy you a drink when you get back.”

                “I, um-” Aelyn was so out of her depth that she wasn’t sure how to respond.

                “No rush, think it over.” Vex made her way toward the back of the Flagon, headed for the Cistern.

                Aelyn tried to cool her face off as she headed back to the table. Delvin and Val both stared at her completely gob-smacked. She sat down in her chair, still trying to sort out what just happened.

                “Huh. I suppose Vex has a type as well.” Delvin finally said, earning a glare from Val.

Chapter Text

Aelyn sat back on her heels, staring out across the water from Riften’s dock at Goldenglow Estate. The estate spanned three small islands in the middle of the lake. She had to take out three of the beehives, located on the westernmost island, then break into the estate, find Delvin’s little golden bee, and clear out Aringoth’s safe. All without being seen, or getting killed.

“You look deep in thought.” Val came to stand beside her. She was beginning to wonder if he had some sort of locator device for her, always turning up where she was. 

“I need to see the layout.” She sighed before standing. Val considered for a moment.

“Then let’s go.” He smirked when Aelyn looked up at him confused.

“Val, I can’t just walk up and ask for a tour.” Aelyn’s brow furrowed.

“I like where your head’s at but, no, that’s not what I was thinking.” He turned starting to walk away while Aelyn followed. He stopped next to a small rowboat tied to the dock and hopped in.

“What are you doing?” She watched him begin to untie it from the dock.

“Come on, get in.” He held out his hand for her and helped her jump into the boat. Val used an oar to push away from the dock.

“When in oblivion did you get a rowboat?” Aelyn asked, completely lost.

“Just now.” Val smiled, rowing deep into the dark water.

“Val!” Aelyn wanted to reprimand him but she started to laugh instead. It seemed silly to admonish him for stealing a boat to help her case Goldenglow for a robbery.

“You’re an accomplice now, so we’re in this together.” He let the boat drift along the current for a moment before rowing again. Aelyn leaned back, resting on her elbows with a smirk on her face watching him for a moment. Val gave her a sidelong glance. “See something you like?”

“Oh, yeah I sure do. I see you doing all the rowing, gotta say I like that.” Aelyn laughed. Val reached into the water and flung a handful at her making her shriek and laugh harder. He found himself grinning, he hadn’t seen her at ease much since they’d met. It had been weeks and at last, she was relaxing around him.

As they neared the island, a wall of jagged rock stretched up the backside of the northern island where the main house was situated. Wooden towers were positioned on each island, the main estate having two towers that faced toward the south.  A tall wooden fence shielded the island that was home to the beehives from the west.

“Looks like they have a few guard towers.” Val nodded to the small grouping of islands.

“I think my best bet is setting the hives on fire first to create a distraction and then …Swim? I guess, to the back side of the north island. Climb the rocks and pick the lock to get inside. Then I’ll have to find Delvin’s stupid bee, sneak into the basement, pick the lock on the safe, clear it out, and somehow… Escape.” Aelyn leaned forward with her head in her hands. “Shit. I’m going to die, aren’t I?”

“Yeah, I think you’ll probably die just trying to climb those rocks soaking wet.” Val tilted his head thoughtfully.

“Thanks.” Aelyn sighed deeply staring at the island. Val sat back, letting the boat drift, stretching his legs out across Aelyn’s seat.

“I mean, you could, maybe, ask for help.” Val gazed at the island.

“What?” Aelyn looked up at him.

“You really think I’m going to let you go in there alone? What do you take me for? There’s no way you’re going to have all the fun without me.” Val laughed.

“No. Absolutely not.” She shook her head. He ignored her.

“So now that’s settled-” He continued.

“It’s not settled, you’re not-” Aelyn went to stand forgetting they were in a boat, it rocked suddenly and she sat back down instantly as Val laughed at her again. “You’re not going.”

“Oh really? And how are you going to set fire to the hives and break into the house without a second person?” He sat up and leaned forward waiting for her answer, Aelyn sighed deeply. “That’s what I thought. So. Now that’s settled…” He waited to see if she was going to interrupt him again before continuing. “Seeing as I have you in a boat in the middle of a lake, far from shore… How are things with Brynjolf?”

“I’m sorry?” She turned to him in surprise.

“Just making conversation.” He turned his face up toward the sun, seeming more relaxed out on the water.

“Right. Which is why you waited until we were in a boat, in the middle of a lake, far from shore to ask.” She threw him a sardonic look, and he chuckled.

“Do you like him?” His face hosted a grin but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“I guess? Why do you care?” She didn’t understand what he was after; he was too many steps ahead of her in a game she was unfamiliar with.

“You guess? You’re not sure?” He clarified. “Did you sleep with him?” He looked confused for a moment.

“Excuse me!” Aelyn nearly stood up again, but gripped the sides of the little boat as it rocked, making Val laugh again.

“That’s a no.” He continued to chuckle.

“This conversation is done. We’re going back to shore now.” She said evenly, reaching for the oars. Val shot up and pulled the handles from her hands.

“You see, the thing is, you seem like the type of person who doesn’t separate physical interactions from emotional ones. For me, I’m not so easily moved, but I think it’s very different for you. I think you can’t help but give yourself completely.” Val rowed them away from the islands and back towards the city docks.

“Don’t tell me you’re worried about me.” She eyed him for a moment when he didn’t respond. “Am I moving you, Captain?” Aelyn smirked trying to tease him. Val stopped rowing. He leaned forward, setting the oars into their rests, his gaze intensely locked on her.

“I can certainly think of a few ways I’d like you to move me.” He said lowly before he leaned back in the boat again. Her eyes went wide, and she immediately fixed her gaze on the shore, suddenly burning up like freshly lit tinder.

“Easy, no need to get all worked up.” He chuckled.

“Trust me, it would take more than a few words from you to get me worked up.” Aelyn rolled her eyes crossing her arms over her chest, still not making eye contact with him. She hated how easily she turned red and she knew at that moment she probably looked like a beacon.

“You know, I’ve thought this since we met, but you really have the most beautiful eyes.” A small smile lingered on his lips. Val almost couldn’t help himself, she was far too entertaining to leave alone. He never knew what reaction he was going to get from her, despite having finally learned how to decipher the result.

“What are you doing?” Aelyn looked nonplussed.

“Telling you how lovely your eyes are.” He grinned.

“Well, stop it.” She frowned making him laugh.

“Why do you have such a hard time with compliments? You could just say, ‘Why thank you, Val, what a nice thing to say.’ But instead, you get upset.” He smirked. He almost had a shade guide to her face worked out. It had only taken so long because she was completely different from anyone he’d met before. Smart, clever, but guileless and naïve.

Her face was like a glowing sign. Her pale skin blushed over almost anything. Her face turned a little pink when she was feeling shy, the tips of her ears and her cheeks turned red when she was embarrassed, when she was angry her forehead and her neck would flush, and she’d get a little crease between her brows. But then, there was his favorite, when the loveliest shade of rose would creep up her neck, tinging her cheeks, and even her ears, making her eyes almost glow in contrast. That’s how he knew he was making her heart race.

“Well, how would you like it if I just started giving you compliments out of nowhere?” Aelyn hugged herself a little tighter as Val watched her bemused.

“Flattery will get you everywhere, darling.” He looked at her expectantly, “Well, go on.” Aelyn tried to clear her throat.

“You have… pretty eyes.” Aelyn felt her face burning, she was absolutely horrible at this, he was going to laugh at her and she knew it. 

“What color are they?” Val suddenly closed his eyes.

“Green.” Aelyn huffed. “With a little gold ring, in the center.” She added somewhat bashfully. Val opened his eyes, his smile softening a bit.

“That one doesn’t count.” He said with a mischievous grin on his face.

“What? Why not?” She looked offended. This wasn’t easy for her, and he was already throwing one out.

“I already used it. Come on, what else you got?” He waited patiently. She sighed; her arms still folded over her chest.

“I-I don’t know. You’re…” She stumbled through her words as Val lifted a brow, waiting for her response. “You’re very handsome.”

“I know. What about me do you think is handsome?” He propped himself up on his elbows, still smiling, watching her struggle, flustered.

“You have nice hair.” She waved a hand blithely.

“Be still my beating heart!” He grinned widely.

“And you have a nice smile. Satisfied?” Aelyn stared out at the shore not looking at him, her ears and face burning with embarrassment.

“Oh, not nearly.” Val sat up. “Aelyn.” His voice was soft, entreating, her eyes went wide realizing what he had planned.

“No. You didn’t say this was a back-and-forth thing-” She started to point her finger at him accusingly, and he grabbed her hand, holding fast when she tried to pull back. She tried to school her expression, but she already knew it was useless. He was better at figuring people out than she gave him credit for, and now she was going to pay the price for underestimating him.

“What are you so scared of?” He grinned, trying to catch her eyes. “That I’ll tell you, you’re stunning?”

“By the Nine!” She hissed trying to physically hide her face. “Fine, fine, I take it back! I underestimated you. Are you happy now?”

“Already? I’ve barely even started.” He reached out to run his fingers through the strands of her hair. “Did you know that your hair has this golden glow to it in the sunlight, like dark honey when light shines through it?”

“Come on, Val, be serious.” Aelyn huffed in frustration. His hand moved to her chin as he gently guided her to look at him.

“Your smile is dazzling when you laugh.” He looked serious, but she refused to believe it for a second.

“Stop it, you’re just teasing me.” She looked away frowning, her brow furrowed, and he smiled again.

“What if I’m not?” He asked seriously. “Did you mean what you said, about me?”

“That’s not the same.” She went to tug her hand back again, but he still held fast. “I didn’t say it to provoke you.”

 “I do find your reactions amusing, and I like seeing them, I can’t lie about that.” His smile faded slightly, “But I meant what I said.” His eyes were now intensely focused on her.

“I don’t understand you.” She scowled.

“What’s there to understand?” He started to uncurl her fingers in his hand.

“Why? Why say those things to me? What are you getting out of it?” She had stopped resisting and let him open her hand up. He ran his thumb over each one of her fingers, slowly up and down each digit.

“That’s quite the question coming from you. I once questioned why you were kind to me and you accused me of not being able to trust anyone. Now here you are questioning why I’m complimenting you.” He started slow circular motions with his thumb on her palm.

“Are you going to tell me I can’t trust anyone?” Aelyn bit her lip, contemplating what he was saying.

“No.” He let her hand go finally as he sighed. His gaze went straight through her, “I think you can’t see yourself; I think you don’t know yourself.”

Chapter Text

Val’s words were still ringing in her ears, leaving Aelyn feeling unsettled. She knew herself plenty well, what did he know anyway? That was perhaps the problem. She felt like she saw herself too clearly, too sharply. Her imperfections seemed to stand stark against a benign background.

 She had found an unused side room inside the cistern where the floor was flooded with water, about three inches deep. Water fell from two pipes in the wall that connected to the lake a rate that was just a bit too fast for the drain in the floor to keep up with. The perfect place to release some built-up energy and the perfect excuse to avoid Val for a little bit. Not that she was bothered, of course.

She couldn’t help the uncanny feeling like something was afoot around her that she wasn’t seeing, but everyone else seemed to be aware of.  Val was playing some game with her she didn’t understand, Delvin was trying to walk her through the ropes of the Thieves Guild but wasn’t outright with it, and Brynjolf. Aelyn sighed; she’d not thought through the consequences of getting involved with him and what they might mean for her.

He’d kissed her, and she’d liked it. He’d done more than just kiss her and she’d liked that too. His hands had left a burning heat behind she’d struggled to contain. Yet something Val had said was still nagging at her. Physical attraction and emotional sentiments didn’t necessarily go hand in hand for everyone.

Aelyn concentrated on the space above her palm, feeling the energy gathering there, pushing it away from her skin. Her magic worked a little differently than others. Flames would erupt from the energy within her, rather than gathering from the environment around her. For most, that was why the environment would make certain spells more powerful at times. During a thunderstorm, lighting magic was stronger, if it was snowing or freezing cold, ice magic could be downright deadly. Yet for her, no matter the environment, her flames were hot enough to melt rocks. She tried to focus, controlling the heat and size of the flame so it didn’t burn out of control. Her mind kept wandering though.

Did she like Brynjolf? She wasn’t sure. She’d sort of just gotten swept up in the moment, caught up in his current. The memory of how he’d touched her, the feeling of his lips on her skin, the sound of his voice in her ear streaked across her mind, and suddenly fire was exploding from her hand. Aelyn yelped in surprise, falling backward with a splash, the spell dissolving instantly.

This was ridiculous. She wasn’t some innocent maiden by any means. No, she hadn’t had many relationships, and no, none of them were recent and the ones she’d had left their scars on her. Wounds she’d rather leave covered and forgotten. Aelyn rested her forearms on her knees, still sitting in the water as she sighed deeply. She needed to focus on the task first and worry about the rest later.

“Seems like a strange place to bathe, Lass.” Brynjolf leaned in the entryway, just a few inches higher than the floor of the cistern. There was no telling how long he’d been watching her. Aelyn glanced over her shoulder at him before standing.

“Just needed a space to practice.” Aelyn shook the water off her hands.

“How’s the Goldenglow job coming along?” His voice was light, sounding like he was just checking in, but his eyes said he wanted an update.

“Tonight is the big night.” Aelyn gave him a small reassuring smile to which he nodded approvingly.

“Do you need some help practicing?” He offered.

“You know magic?” Aelyn looked at him with surprise. Brynjolf laughed before his eyes settled on her again.

“No. I don’t. But I can help give you some inspiration.” He grinned, his eyes roving over her suggestively and Aelyn laughed. 

“I think I’ve got plenty of inspiration already.” Aelyn turned back to the center of the room, intent on getting back to work when she didn’t hear, but rather felt Brynjolf approach.

“I’ve been thinking about you and me in the back room.” He purred into her ear; his hand slid to the small of her back under her shirt. Aelyn tried to clear her throat, attempting to focus.

“Is that so?” She felt the energy gathering in her palm again, a little too quickly. His lips brushed against the column of her neck, and the space above her palm flickered with sparks.

“Yes. I think once you’re done with this job, we should talk about your future here.” He gripped her hip, pressing against her, making her gasp in surprise. The sparks in her palm ignited, bursting into a little flare of white-hot flame that shot out in all directions. Aelyn fell back against Brynjolf, her hand clenched in a fist. “Seems you need a bit more practice, Lass.” He stepped away from her with a chuckle. Aelyn turned to face him.

“I’m not staying Bryn.” Aelyn shook her head. “Once Goldenglow is done, and I get paid, I’m heading back to Markarth.” She’d already been gone far too long. Remi was likely to be getting worried. Brynjolf pulled her close to him once more.

“Not even for me?” His lips ghosted over hers, his hand sliding up her waist. She could feel herself heating up.

“I’m not staying.” Aelyn stepped back from him. He frowned, but he looked almost confused. The expression was gone in an instant as he shook his head and smiled.

“Are you sure about that, Lass?” The way he said it, sounded cryptic, and Aelyn fought the chill creeping up her spine. His gaze lingered a moment before he turned away, leaving her to her task. Of course, she was sure, there was nothing to keep her in Riften after all.

Val and Aelyn had decided to take on Goldenglow after dark. They’d approach from the west; Val would climb up the rocks and set fire to three of the beehives. Aelyn would pop the lock on the back door to the estate, find the bee statue for Delvin, then head down to the basement where she would clear out the safe and exit through the drainpipe where Val would meet up with her. 

“You know, this is kind of a cute little date.” Val joked. He’d ‘acquired’ a small boat for the job, where he sat back looking at ease as the waves gently rocked the vessel. The sun was starting to dip below the horizon and it wouldn’t be long before they had to get to work.

“Committing arson and breaking and entering is your idea of a date?” Aelyn cocked a brow at him and he laughed.

“One of the best really. But, I was actually talking about being out on the water watching the sunset.” He nudged her leg with his boot. “Don’t tell me it’s not even a little nice?”

“You should try it with Vex sometime, I’m sure she’d be receptive to the idea.” She smirked, teasing him for his failed attempt with the thief.

“I think you might be more her type.” Val laughed at Aelyn as she blushed.

“Who knew I’d be so popular with thieves.” She sighed, her smile faded as she gazed out at the sunset, admiring the red and orange hues that streaked across the sky.

“Is that such a bad thing?” Val tilted his head to the side, examining her expression.

“It complicates things.” Aelyn was somewhere else, thinking about Brynolf’s behavior from earlier.  Val rested his chin in his palm before also looking out at the sunset.

“What was it like? Growing up on a ship?” She suddenly asked.

“Why are you suddenly interested?” He seemed to be weighing the pros and cons of telling her.

“I don’t know, I’d like to understand you a little better.” She shrugged, watching him mull it over. He sighed deeply, and she thought he was going to deny her but then he started to speak.

“My father was never around because my mother left him.” He didn’t really look at her, his gaze still focused out at the skyline. “She didn’t want me to grow up ashamed so she filled my head with these stories about him. Who knows if any of them were ever true, but I don’t think she anticipated the result. I ran away to join my father’s crew. They weren’t what I expected, but I stayed anyway.”

“Your father turned out to be a pirate?” She had suspected as much, his previous tale had too many holes in it.

“And a smuggler, and a thief, and a liar. I guess the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree, huh?” He bit out a self-deprecating laugh.

“Why did you stay?” She didn’t understand really, if those things were apparent, why he had remained.

“I had dreamed my whole life of going to sea. I had an idea in my head of what it would be like, of who I was going to be. And it took me so long to realize what a naïve idiot I was.” He seemed upset like somehow, he thought he should have known better, that the state of things was solely his own fault. “I don’t want to romanticize the life I’ve led. I could have made different choices. I saw how my parents both struggled, and I resented it. I just couldn’t stand the thought of sitting in a tiny room all day, studying or working some ‘respectable’ job.”

“I think I can relate to that in a way. I wouldn’t call a kid a naïve idiot though, how were you supposed to understand the consequences at that age? That wasn’t your responsibility.” They were both silent for a moment. “How did you keep going through everything? Makes me wonder what your sense of purpose is. It must be something good for you to have stuck around.” Aelyn felt a little hypocritical asking him about purpose when she, herself, had bounced from place to place, running from one thing or another.

“That’s the problem, I don’t know. I almost envy those who do have a calling, you know? I can’t imagine what it would be like.” He was fiddling with something in his hands, maybe a splinter of wood, thinking for a moment before he continued. “My father was a Dunmer, and he raised me as one. I was taught that we’re meant to struggle, to survive by any means. What to do with yourself after you survive, well, he never talked about that much.” It finally clicked. If she looked close enough, she could see it, the elven influence in his features. That was why he’d told her to be proud that she’d survived, it was why he’d been so cross with her about her views on her blood. She laughed a little at how absurd she had been, and he glanced in her direction.

“That’s really the question, isn’t it? What do you do after you’ve survived?” Aelyn shook her head and leaned back.

“What was it like for you growing up in a temple?” He saw her go stiff.

“Ah, it was...” She had buried those memories deep. “Not great. The Fighter’s guild wasn’t so bad though. Ignus kept an eye out for me, and strangely enough, so did the others. Sort of like having a few really violent older brothers, I guess.”

“Can I ask how he died?” Val watched her carefully.

“I stepped on a pressure plate inside a Dwemer ruin, blades came up and cut him in half.” It was like she was talking about someone else, completely detached. Val was quiet for a moment. “Don’t try to tell me it wasn’t my fault.” She looked down at her hands and started to pick at her nails. “I’ve had plenty of time to think it over. Even if it was an accident, it happened because of me. I was kinda messed up for a while after that.”

“I’m sorry.” He laid a hand on her shoulder, and for the first time, she didn’t feel like she was going to crumble. Strangely, it felt comforting, reassuring, not an added weight that she would break under.

“Me too. But thanks.” She sighed looking out at the horizon as the sky turned purple, and the first stars began to show. “Seems like it’s about time for us to get started, yeah?” She nodded toward the skyline.

They grounded the little boat near the drain pipe at the back of the estate. Aelyn looked up at the wall of rocks she had to climb. Val pulled off his boots, jacket, and shirt and left them in the boat.

“Hey.” Val paused before he jumped into the water.

“Yea?” Aelyn stood up carefully, stepping out of the boat.

“Don’t die.” He smirked as she grinned.

“I’ll try my best.” She found a good foothold and hoisted herself up.

When she reached the top, she waited in the shadows for the commotion to start. Once those hives were set ablaze, most of the guards would be diverted to putting out the flames. She wasn’t sure how Val was going to start the fire, but it didn’t take long for the alarm to sound and the smell of smoke to reach her. She got to work on the lock at the back door, it was a little more complex than she had anticipated, but ultimately it clicked open for her.  She slipped inside, pausing to listen for any guards nearby. She could hear one pacing on the opposite side of the room to her right, but the long hallway in front of her was clear. Hallways always made her anxious, there was nowhere to hide. As quickly and quietly as she could she moved along the corridor.

There was an intersection in front of her. She hated this, not knowing where she needed to go, her heart pounding in her chest, and she only had so long before the flames were doused outside. She turned right, finding a short corridor that led into a larger dining area to her left. Not seeing anything that would house a priceless bee statue she tried to move on finding out that the room was a dead end. She had to backtrack, cursing herself for wasting time wandering aimlessly. Aelyn crept back out into the main hallway, slipping silently along the shadows.

She could hear voices coming from the end of the hall. Spying a door to her right she tried it and found it locked. That was a good sign, locked doors protected things. Aelyn pulled out a pick and quickly jimmied the lock open, finding a storage room of sorts. She closed the door softly behind her, looking around the room. A chest sat against the far wall. She hurried over to it, praying that Delvin’s stupid bee was inside. The chest wasn’t locked, it opened easily. There were a few old clothes inside, a diary, and a small pouch of gold coins. No bee statue. Aelyn pocketed the gold and moved back to the door.

She peered out into the hall, still not seeing anyone she decided that a little peek at the room at the end of the hall couldn’t hurt. She flattened herself against the wall and looked carefully around the corner.

There was a mercenary sitting in a chair at the far side of the room, beyond its entrance, in a little nook, facing away from her.  He had been talking to someone though. She surveyed the room but saw no one. There was a doorway to the left. Aelyn glanced between the mercenary and the door. She could definitely make it without being seen. Without hesitation, she moved quickly to the door, finding a dining room beyond and thankfully it was empty. Still no sign of the bee statue. She could hear footsteps, and she summarized that there must have been a hallway on the other side of the dining room, someone was pacing up and down it. She waited until she could hear the steps coming back up the hall to move to the far end of the dining room. Aelyn stepped out of the dining room and found to her immediate left was a small set of stairs to the second floor.

She hated second floors. Aelyn hopped up the stairs and silently through the door at the top which opened to a small eating area, with a little corridor that turned left in front of her. She rolled her eyes, just how many hallways did a home need?  As she approached, she realized there was a door on the left side of the little corridor. She tried it and found it unlocked. It was a bedroom of sorts with a few tables and chairs. Who ate with guests in their room? Shaking her head she made her way to the door on the other side. 

As she pulled the door open and scoped out the hall, she saw another mercenary sitting at the far end that she’d inadvertently cut around. Aelyn moved quickly following the hall, suddenly coming upon an alcove to her right. A man was sitting at a desk right in front of the doorway, she tried not to let out a gasp, ducking behind a small hall table on the opposite side of the door.

“Hello?” the man’s head jerked up. She heard his chair scrape against the floorboards. She didn’t want to kill him but if he found her, she might be forced to. His heavy footsteps approached the door. His head poked out and Aelyn silently prayed to be invisible. He sighed, rubbed his eyes, and returned to his desk.  

In her gut, she knew, the bee statue was in the room behind the door on the other side of the alcove that the man sat in. Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm herself. She could do this. She wasn’t going to die. If he spotted her, she’d take him down silently, hoping his death gasp didn’t draw any attention. She grabbed a cloth napkin from the table beside her. She could muffle him with it if need be.

She carefully tucked herself around the frame of the doorway. She came up behind the guard in the chair. The man shifted in his chair and she froze, he coughed. She really didn’t want to have to kill him. He settled once more and then she sprung.

The man didn’t even have time to react. He opened his mouth to yell but she shoved the cloth into it instead, his throat in the crook of her elbow as she pressed his head forward. One second; she fought to keep him in place, still pressing his head forward, two seconds; the chair scraped and she prayed no one heard it, three seconds; his body went limp. Aelyn sighed in relief. She laid him back against the chair so that it seemed like he’d simply fallen asleep and moved to the door on the opposite side of the room.

She tried the handle gently, and once again found it locked. It was a simple lock that she had open with little effort. Inside she found the master bedroom. There sitting on the nightstand next to the bed, was a solid gold bee statue. Aelyn took in the room, scanning it for any sign of life. Finding none, she made her way over to the nightstand, picking up the statue. It was in her hands; she was about to blow out a breath when she felt something sharp at her back.

“Put it down, and turn around slowly.” A man with a strange accent demanded. Valenwood, perhaps? It had to be Aringoth.

Slowly, she set the statue back down and did as the man said. A Bosmer, about a head shorter than Aelyn stood, dressed in fine evening robes, had a malicious-looking dagger pointed at her. He turned his head to call over his shoulder, Aelyn shot forward. She grabbed his wrist and twisted, forcing him to drop the blade, the man yelped in pain.

She pulled his arm behind his back, forcing him to the ground. Aelyn pulled the belt off his robe and wound it around his wrist and opposite ankle, pulling it tight.

“Get off me! Thief! Thief!” He started crying out. She had to move quickly, finding a sock lying on the floor near the bed she snatched it and shoved it in his mouth as he struggled.

Aelyn grabbed the bee statue and ran toward the door, heavy footsteps sounded on the other side. There was a pounding on the door.

“Master Aringoth? Are you alright?” A deep voice called, but there was no answer, Aringoth lay struggling on the other side of the room. The door began to open, as Aelyn hid behind it.

Two men rushed into the room, finding Aringoth bound up next to his bed, thrashing about. They ran toward him, pulling the sock from his mouth.

“Get her! Get her!” He started yelling immediately. The men spun around, but there was no one there.

Aelyn flew through the second story. She was out of time. She ran back down the stairs to the first floor, trying to stay silent, the guards on the main floor hadn’t yet been alerted. Though she could hear the pounding of footfalls running toward the door she’d just closed. Across from the stairs was an iron gate. She ran to it, trying it, and finding it locked. She had seconds. Aelyn pulled out her lockpick, hands shaking she slid it into the lock, and it snapped.  Thanking the Gods she had a backup Aelyn tried again. She gently prodded the lock, waiting for that soft click that let her know she got it just she heard the door at the top of the stairs begin to rattle. The lock gave and she pulled the gate open.

She slipped into the small alcove beyond, closing the gate behind her. She looked around trying to find anything she could hide in or behind. The guards from upstairs began yelling as she found another set of stairs leading down. Aelyn prayed she was on the right path to the basement.

“Intruder, get your asses moving! Find her!”

There was another door at the bottom of the stairs in the alcove. Aelyn pulled it open. There were two guards playing cards sitting at a table facing away from her, and another hallway beyond. She didn’t have time to hesitate, she needed to get out. Aelyn sprinted past, and the guards didn’t even look up.  A long winding hallway led her to another open room, and on the other side of it, another ladder leading down. One guard sat facing the stairs on the other side of the room, a few barrels were stacked behind him. It was a familiar pungent smell, and Aelyn knew instantly what was in those barrels. Lantern oil and it was leaking everywhere, all over the floor.

She crept up behind the guard and crouched down behind the barrels. She reached out and willed one single flame from her fingertip onto the man’s pant leg. It took a few moments for him to smell anything at all or feel the heat of the flame crawling up his leg.

He jumped up making a panicked noise, trying to swat at the flames, tripping over his chair. Aelyn took her chance; she skirted past him. He was too preoccupied with the fire to even notice her. She jumped from the top of the stairs to the bottom and ran, halting at a dead end. A large black safe sat before her and in the corner, a hole that led down into the sewer.

The man upstairs started to scream. She had moments before the barrels caught fire. The safe in front of her had to be the one she was supposed to clear out. She knelt before it, noting the complexities of the lock as she got to work.

Her pick caught, she tried to gently shimmy it, but none of the tumblers would give. She needed to either press and risk breaking the pick or find another way into the safe. She tried to press, steady, evenly applied force to the little pick. It began to give, and then, ‘chink’, it snapped. She stared at the broken pick in dismay. She had to get the safe open. Panicking, Aelyn pressed her hand against the side of the safe.

Carefully, she began to release her energy into the metal. It began to heat, and glow. She pressed harder, and the side of the safe began to soften, then drip. Globs of hot iron hit the floor boards, immediately catching fire. She pressed until her hand went through the side of the safe. She quickly pulled it out, shoving her other hand through the hole, searching blindly for whatever was in there.

She pulled out a folio and a bag of gold. Vex had told her that the sewer emptied into the lake. Aelyn jumped in, just as she heard a loud ‘boom’ from above. Her time was up.

Val was pacing next to the boat. There was definitely some sort of commotion going on inside the estate. He decided he was going to give Aelyn thirty more seconds before he went in after her. He nearly jumped out of his skin when the sewer grate suddenly opened. Aelyn fell out of it, gagging from the smell, before stumbling to her feet. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so relieved.

“Where have you been?” He started in on her but she ran right past him.

“No time, get the boat, go-go-go!” Aelyn was already pushing it into the water.

Val was beside her in a moment, jumping into the boat using the oar to push it out into the water as Aelyn climbed in. Val dug deep into the water, propelling them out across the lake, into the darkness. Aelyn laid back, trying to catch her breath.

“Remind me to punch Delvin when I see him.” She gasped.

“You might not have to; you’ll knock him with just the smell. Gods, you stink.” Val coughed as he rowed. “What in oblivion happened in there? Did you clear the safe? Why do you smell like burnt-” He paused and stopped rowing.

“Yes, I cleared the safe and got the damn bee for Delvin. What is it?” She propped herself up looking at him. He was giving her a strange look.

“You feel… warm.” He looked confused. They stared at one another for a long moment.

“Val…” Aelyn scooted back from him a measure.

“Yea?” He leaned forward, holding out his hand, like he was testing the air near her.

“How did you set the beehives on fire?” She asked, watching him try to figure out why she was radiating heat. He sat up and shrugged.

“Well, with magic. What else was I going to use? What’s wrong?” He watched her brows come together.

“You never told me you could use magic.” She sounded calm. She started to make the connection finally, that static charge she could always feel around him, he must have an affinity to lightning.  

“I didn’t think it mattered; you use magic. What’s going on? Why do you feel like a bonfire?” He held out his hand again, intrigued by the strange condition. She pulled back from him slightly.

“Where did you learn magic?” Aelyn asked trying to sound level.

“I taught myself mostly. I watched the weather patterns over the ocean, read any books I could find.” He shrugged like it wasn’t anything important, and picked up the oars again. Aelyn let out a breath.

“I’m surprised you’re still in one piece.” She grinned. Of course, it had been something like that. There was no way Val had the patience for formal training.

“Well, I’m hopeless at alteration magic. You gotta fake yourself out, believe your own lie as it were. I could never get the knack. But I do wish I knew more about conjuration.” Val glanced back to Aelyn whose knee had started to bounce. “You good?”

“Just a little wound up.” She smiled and fixed her gaze out over the water. “Post heist anxieties.” That made him chuckle.

He docked the little boat on the end of a secluded pier, tying it off before stepping out. Aelyn went to climb out behind him when he grabbed her elbow and half-lifted her out of the boat. He didn’t move once her feet were on the dock, she looked up at him confused.

“What is it?” Aelyn could feel a tingle spreading across her skin, he looked like he was struggling with something.

“I ah, I’m glad you’re safe.” He finally said and Aelyn tried not to laugh, she’d never seen him be awkward. It was such a departure from his normal self that she couldn’t help it. “What? Why are you laughing?”

“What’s got you all out of sorts, Captain?” She teased, still chuckling as she went to move past him. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her back against him as his other arm folded her into a hug.

“You had me worried for a moment there.” She couldn’t see his face, but his voice sounded rough.

“Hey, it’s alright, we’re both okay.” Gods damn it, she felt her neck start to flush, and her heart began to pound.

“Yeah.” He held her for a moment longer before abruptly shoving her away. “You smell awful.” Aelyn started to laugh. “Ugh, you’re not allowed in the room until you bathe.” He pushed her ahead of him, she tried to look back at his face but he kept pressing her forward.

“I know, I can’t believe you hugged me.” She laughed.

“You should feel so honored.” He shook his head, grinning as Aelyn continued to laugh.

Chapter Text

                Val sat across from Aelyn in the Bee and Barb. She was reading a book called ‘Remanada’ that he was intent on stealing from her when she was done. If for no other reason than the horrified look on her face as she turned the page.

                “What on Nirn am I reading…” He heard her mumble at one point.

                “All right that’s it.” He snatched the book out of her hands.

                “Hey!” Aelyn went to grab the tome back while Val’s face suddenly matched hers from a moment before.

                “What in the planes of Oblivion are you reading?” He looked disgusted. “This is what you read? I thought I was into some weird stuff…”

                “I don’t judge you with your pass-times!” Aelyn reached for the book again as Val began to read aloud.

                “And the shieldthane bore witness to the spirit opening naked to his king, carving on a nearby rock the words AND HROL DID LOVE UNTO A HILLOCK before dying in the sight of their union. When the fifteen other knights found King Hrol, they saw him dead after his labors against a mound of mud.” He looked at her with raised eyebrows as she tried to hide her face.

                “It’s a history book…” Aelyn tried to argue.

                “About an ancient King who made love to a mound of mud?” Val started laughing. “Is this what happens after five years of abstinence? You poor pitiful thing.” He tutted and shook his head, still grinning.

                “Just you wait Serano. One day you’re going to be stuck in a compromising position, and I will be sure to never let you forget it.” Aelyn snatched the book back from him.

                “I certainly hope so.” He chuckled, moving his chair over and sitting down next to her.

                “What are you doing?” She asked as she opened the book back up, he pressed against her side, his arm slung around the back of her chair.

                “Well, with an opener like that, I need to know what happens next.” He nodded to the book. Aelyn scoffed closing the cover.

                “You can read it when I’m done.” She knew better, she’d be stuck reading the same line over and over again with him looking over her shoulder like that.

                “Oh come on, we can be horrified together,” He gave her a little squeeze, “Besides, isn’t this cozy?” He reached with his free hand to open the book back up.

                “Of all the pirates I had to rescue…” Aelyn huffed sinking in her chair as she let him have his way once again.

                “You wanted the best.” He quipped.

                “The best at what exactly…” She muttered, Val grinned and Aelyn shot up.

                “I mean-” He began.

                “No!” Aelyn cut him off before he even had time to finish his sentence realizing too late what such a comment was going to mean.

                “I could demonstrate-” He started to laugh.

                “Val!” She turned to him and pointed her finger like she was reprimanding a pet.

                “Then you wouldn’t have to read this stuff-” He closed the book and set it on the table.

                “Are you ever serious?” She rolled her eyes, leaning back in her chair, giving up on stopping him.

                “Who says I’m not?” He was still smiling but his tone was less teasing.

                Aelyn huffed not bothering to respond. He tucked her hair behind her ear, trying not to grin at the blush that had turned her cheeks and the tips of her ears red. He leaned in toward her, speaking directly into her ear. His lips just barely brushed the little pointed tip, making her suck in a breath as she tried not to react.

                “Aelyn,” He was sorely tempted to see what happened if he let his teeth graze against the tip of her ear, “Who says I’m not serious?” She sat up abruptly and turned to face him, her face was completely flushed in that rosy hue he’d come to admire, her arms crossed over her chest.

                “I think I’ve seen enough to know the difference.” She stood up and grabbed the book off the table. He grabbed her hand, his brows bent in confusion.

                “You’re saying I’m not serious? But who is then? Brynjolf? You can’t really believe that. We both know he’s using you.”

                “Do you think I haven’t seen you? That I haven’t watched you reel people in the same way each time?” She yanked her hand free. “I’m not that mage you were down here with the other night, I’m not Vex, and I’m sure as Dibella’s sun-bleached asshole, not Haelga.” She snatched the bag that had been hanging on the back of her chair and stormed out of the inn. Val stared after her, wondering how exactly that had backfired so badly.  

                “Dibella’s sun-bleached asshole, huh? That’s a new one.” He sat back in his chair and frowned. There was no mistaking that she liked him, but it was becoming clearer to him that she was something he’d not encountered often before. Genuine. He stood up and slowly followed after her, already knowing where she was headed.

                “Word on the street is that Goldenglow has been hit.” Brynjolf strutted over to her grinning. Aelyn pulled out the folio she’d retrieved from the safe. The Cistern was mostly empty save for a few guild members.

                “Here’s what was in the safe.” She handed it over, shifting impatiently.

                “Let me take a look at what you found.” He opened the folio, reading carefully, his brow creased, a frown growing deeper by the moment as he continued to read. “Aringoth sold Goldenglow? What's that idiot thinking? He has no idea the extent of Maven's fury when she's been cut out of a deal, but I'm certain he'll find out. If only this parchment had the buyer's name instead of this odd symbol. Any idea what that might be?"

                “No idea.” She folded her arms over her chest.

                “Blast. Well, I'll check my sources and speak to Mercer. But for now, you're off to speak to Maven Black-Briar. She asked for you by name.” He closed the folio and then paused when Aelyn didn’t move.

                “No.” She stood up straight.

                “No?” Brynjolf repeated slowly.

                “I want my cut, and then I’m leaving.” She said evenly. Brynjolf started to chuckle, he grabbed her arm and pulled her a little roughly into a small room off the main cistern.

                “Now, I’m not sure I understood you correctly-” He began, towering over her.

                “Why did you tell Delvin to withhold the appraisal of that gem?” She demanded. That caught him off guard. “You think I didn’t know? That I couldn’t put two and two together?” Aelyn lifted her chin. “You fed that information to Vex, there’s no way ‘the best infiltrator this rat-hole of a guild’s got’ missed the fucking safe right next to the entrance to the sewer.” Brynjolf started to chuckle.

                “You really are something aren’t you?” He was trying to use that dark and sweet voice on her again.

                “What’s the gem worth?” Aelyn stepped back from him and frowned again.

                “You think that’s why I kept it from you?” He stepped closer. “No, Lass. That worthless rock was just the bait to keep you around, you’re what I wanted.” It was her turn to look confused. “You’re going to make us a lot of money. It’s just business, Lass.”

                “I’m not doing any more jobs for you, Brynjolf. Find someone else to con.” Aelyn seethed, all this over one stupid rock, that had turned out to be worthless. They had been waylaid for weeks. She rued the day she had walked into this place. Brynjolf had pulled her in, then the bullshit job that was Goldenglow Estate, even showing her off to Mercer Frey, and getting her tangled up in Maven Blackbriar’s affairs. He’d been all smiles and compliments until she didn’t behave how he wanted. Val had been right, and he’d warned her about getting too tangled up with Brynjolf. 

                “I don’t think you understand, Lass.” Brynjolf boxed her in, his voice low. “You don’t have a choice.”

                “Says who?” Aelyn shoved at him. “I can’t afford to keep wasting time here-”

                “You can’t afford to refuse, Maven Black-Briar asked for you by name, you don’t want to see what happens to those who slight her. If you try to leave, Maven and Mercer both will be after you.” Brynjolf didn’t budge an inch. “You’ll do this job, and you’ll like it. You’re the one who framed Brand-Shei, you’re the one who stole Haelga’s statue, you’re the one who robbed Goldenglow. You’re one of us now, Lass. Welcome to the Thieves Guild.” He pushed away from her and stalked off.

                Aelyn was fuming, storming out of the Cistern, into the back room behind the Ragged Flagon, straight into what was looking like a very private discussion between Vex and… Val. Aelyn felt her gut churn, the sour sting at the back of her throat made her mouth go dry. They both looked up at her, Vex buttoning her shirt, the smirk that had graced Val’s face fell away immediately. She didn’t wait, but turned on her heel and kept walking.

                “Looks like Brynjolf finally let the mask drop.” Vex sighed watching after Aelyn who had flinched when she’d seen them, her expression more than just angry. “You might want to check on her – He can be a little cruel sometimes.” The dark look that crossed Val’s face made Vex lean away. “Easy there killer, I only meant-” She didn’t even have time to finish her sentence, he was already across the threshold of the door. Vex laughed a little to herself, "When are those two idiots going to get it together?"

                Aelyn stood just outside the entrance to the Ratway, in the little alcove that kept the door mostly hidden from view. Her face felt hot, her throat itched, and that burning sensation in her nose and behind her eyes was relentless. She refused to cry. It was just one really shitty day. Not worth tears, not worth anything from her. The cold damp stones were comforting as she leaned against them, staring out blankly at the grey mist that blanketed the canal. The miserable drizzling weather reflected her mood and cooled her temper a bit. At least Kyne seemed to understand.

                The door to the Ratway creaked, and Aelyn’s hand flew to her dagger hilt until she saw Val emerging. She looked at him confused by his sudden appearance. His eyes flicked to her hand resting on the hilt of her blade, she dropped her hand and turned her gaze back out toward the canal.

                “Hey.” Val stepped to the opposite side of the alcove, mimicking her pose, leaning against the stones. Instead of gazing out at the canal, he watched her.

                “Hey,” Aelyn said quietly. Not bothering to ask what he was doing there. He cleared his throat awkwardly.

                “I couldn’t help but notice that you seemed a bit upset.” He tried to broach the subject, but Aelyn shot him a glare. Val sighed deeply; he was incapable of saying the right thing to her today. “Listen, I was worried about you, you looked pissed.” She cast her gaze back out at the canal, it was a moment before she said anything. He was just about to give up, turn back around, and let her stew with whatever anger she was fighting with.

                “He trapped me.” She said quietly, and though she tried to hide it, there was still the slightest tremble to her voice. “If I leave, Maven and Mercer will hunt me down. If I stay, I get wound deeper into…” Aelyn waved her hand around her, “This shithole. Aringoth sold Goldenglow, and they want the buyer’s blood and the only thing on the deed is some weird little symbol instead of a name. Now Maven wants to see me.“

                Val had warned her, but he had also stood by and watched. He knew exactly what Brynjolf had been up to. Aelyn was smart, talented, and too good for Riften, a shiny penny that you couldn’t resist picking up. Brynjolf must have been counting his lucky stars the day she agreed to his little scheme. From there it didn’t take much, to bully her a little, to wind her around his finger, and then when she started to get wise… He should have done more to stop it.

                “There’s always an out. We just need to find out what it is.” Val said simply.

                “We?” Aelyn shot him a disparaging look. He continued on as if she hadn’t said anything.

                “They’ve got dirt on you now, sure. There are always some safeguards in place to keep you in check. The threat of Maven or Mercer, those are both problems that can be dealt with. What we really need, is to find a way to string up the guild.”

                “So, what do we do?” Aelyn felt the chill from the cold air creep along her spine.

                “They’ll point us in the right direction. We just have to wait.” Val smirked at her, and it felt like a weight had fallen away from her. Two minutes, and they had clicked right back together like nothing had happened at all. “They’re making the mistake of thinking they have you trapped. So of course, they’ll sick you on the trail of whatever happened with Goldenglow, thinking you don’t have the option to fail.”

                “They would be right, I don’t have the option to fail.” Aelyn scoffed.

                “Yeah well, not for the reasons they might be thinking.” He shrugged. “Listen, you’re better at this than any of those guys in there.” Val gestured toward the door, “If anyone is going to succeed at figuring out who’s behind this it’s you.” Aelyn looked away; after what happened with Brynjolf she wasn’t sure she could trust the feeling his praise gave her. Val stepped toward her, pulling her away from the wall, toward him. She looked at him, confused as he looked her in the eyes. “Don’t let Brynjolf eat away your confidence, don’t let Mercer scare you. You’re better than them in every way.”

Chapter Text

                Aelyn sat across from Maven Black-Briar at a private table in the Bee and Barb. Maven might have been a beauty in her day, but now, her face was lined with age, her dark eyes sparked shrewdly, and her raven hair was streaked with grey.

                “Hmm,” She observed Aelyn with an air of disapproval. “So, you’re the one. You don’t look so impressive.”

                “How about we skip the conversation?” Aelyn was already in a foul mood, her arms crossed over her chest. Maven smirked.

                “Well, you’re a firebrand, aren’t you? It’s about time Brynjolf sent me someone with business sense. I was beginning to think he was running some sort of beggars guild over there.” Maven sipped her drink. Aelyn tried not to smirk at this. Maybe she was going to like Maven more than she had expected. 

                “You have no faith in the guild?” Aelyn decided to prod a little.

                “Faith?” Maven scoffed. “I don't have faith in anyone. All I care about is cause and effect. Did the job get done and was it done correctly? There's no gray area."

                “I can assure you, you won’t have that problem with me.” Aelyn sat back waiting for Maven to elaborate on why she was there.

                “I hope not. This is an important job. I have a competitor called Honningbrew Meadery that I want to put out of business. I also want to know how they managed to get the place up and running so quickly.” Maven’s irritation was visible, her brows bent, her permanent frown deepened, and an almost snarl lifted the corner of her upper lip. “I need you to head to the Bannered Mare in Whiterun and look for Mallus Maccius. He'll fill you in on all the details.”

                “Anything you can tell me about the owner?” Aelyn asked trying to get the larger picture at work.

                “Some layabout named Sabjorn. Been a thorn in my side for the last few years now." Maven huffed and then composed herself. “Not a day goes by that I don't regret letting Sabjorn get as far as he did. In only a few short years, he's taken that bile he calls mead to market and a chunk of my profits with it! I can't imagine where he found the gold to take it to market so quickly.”

                “So you need him taken out of the picture.” Aelyn nodded understanding. She didn’t like this, but it wasn’t like she hadn’t done worse jobs. She did grow up in a guild full of mercenaries after all.

                "Exactly. With Sabjorn in prison, his meadery will be forced to close. Then I swoop in and take over the place. No more competition." Maven looked Aelyn over once again as if she was adjusting her initial impression of her.

                “One more question.” Aelyn leaned forward, “Why now?”

                “The Goldenglow Estate job has undoubtedly interrupted the supply of honey I need to make my mead. Sabjorn could use this interruption to his advantage and collect a larger share of the market. I can't have that.” Maven shook her head and then stood, signaling the conversation was over. Aelyn stood with her. Maven paused, her eyes narrowing with deadly intent, "Just a reminder in case I wasn't clear. You butcher this job and you'll be sorry."

                She watched Maven leave, the woman walked with such confidence, like she owned the place. Aelyn supposed in everything but name, she did. Aelyn made her way downstairs after a few moments. She scanned the tavern, spotting Val at a table with a Dunmer woman. Aelyn blew out a breath. She wasn’t sure what she had expected. She couldn’t keep up with him, one moment he was making her heart race, then he’d get too close in one way or another and he was back to flirting with everything on two legs.

                He’d been distant again after their little spat the previous morning. Of course, he’d come to talk to her after what had happened with Brynjolf but then, he was back to whatever it was that he was doing now. She took a seat at an empty table across the room, she needed to think. Aelyn had to make her way to Whiterun, she also needed to write to Remi and let her know not to expect her for a few weeks. She’d been to Whiterun a couple of times, there was an annoying bard who couldn’t keep his hands to himself, and also… Aelyn flushed immediately recalling the other man she’d met in Whiterun. He’d been overly curious about her, what had been his name again? It was on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t quite recall.

                “You’re thinking too loudly.” Val sat down next to her. Aelyn jumped, she’d been completely lost in her thoughts.

                “Thinking too loudly?” She repeated.

                “Yes, I could hear you all the way over there.” Val nodded toward the female Dunmer leaving the tavern. Aelyn rolled her eyes. “What did Maven have to say?”

                “I have to go to Whiterun and ruin some other innocent person’s life. Maven’s got competition and she wants me to make sure they go out of business.” She hated how this kind of work made her feel.

                “No one’s innocent sweetheart.” Val drummed his fingers on the table. His eyes lingered on Aelyn for a moment. “When are we leaving for Whiterun?”

                “First thing in the morning.” Talen-Jei dropped off a mug of ale for Aelyn and she nodded to him in thanks. Val was still watching her, she glanced at him after taking a deep drink from the mug, “What is it?”

                “You doin’ okay?” His brows bent together, and she paused.

                “I’m fine. Why?” She sat in her chair, chewing her nail in thought. Val arched a brow at her.

                “Just checking in, you seem… What’s the word I want to use here… Wound. Like the string of a lute before it snaps.” He let his ankle rest on his knee, watching her bounce her leg and bite her nail.

                “I’m good.” She paused, second-guessing her own words.

                “You know, I’d always wanted to meet Maven Black-Briar and see if she lived up to her reputation.” Val reached over and placed his hand on her bouncing knee. Aelyn stilled.

                “Well, if her reputation is for being a cutthroat, miserly bitch then I’d say she does.” She chewed her lip still thinking about all the ways this job was going to go wrong. Val chuckled at her description.

                “She sounds like my father.” He shook his head as the grin on his face faded. “She’s arrogant, which makes her predictable, we can work with predictable.” Val watched her a moment longer, her eyes were tense, and then her gaze moved toward him.

                “You don’t talk about your father much.” Aelyn wanted to ask but wasn’t sure if it was something she could ask about.

                “He’s a master of manipulation but, at the end of the day, people like that only have the power you give them.” He’d said something similar about Brynjolf and Mercer. She cocked her head to the side considering his words and then hummed in response. “Do you remember your parents at all?”

                Aelyn paused; she hadn’t been expecting the question. She’d told Val she’d been given up as a child, but that wasn’t the whole truth. Of course it wasn’t, no one wanted to hear the horror story that was her childhood. Yet, he was asking, for the second time now.

                “Ah…” She cleared her throat trying to find the words. “First, I think you should know, it’s not that I am particularly set on keeping secrets. I know it probably seems that way.” Her eyes fell to the table as her fingers picked at the wood grain. “It’s just not easy to talk about.” Val watched her, waiting patiently. “I do remember my parents, sort of. I remember little scraps; some things are more like impressions rather than memories. My father was an Altmer, and my mother was a Breton. We had to leave High Rock because of the Thalmor. We moved to Solstheim around that time.”

                “How did you end up alone then?” Val watched her shrink visibly; this was the part she didn’t want to discuss.

                “My parents, they began acting strange. Eventually, they went mad but, it was then that they took me to the temple. They passed shortly after.” Aelyn shifted away from the table, wrapping her arms around herself. Val’s brows came together, her story wasn’t adding up.

                “There aren’t any temples on Solstheim.” He watched as her gaze slowly lifted to his, he didn’t like what he saw there. Something raw and painful was still haunting her.

                “There is one.” She shivered visibly. Aelyn didn’t say anything further, staring pointedly at the table. “I think I should get some sleep, it’s a long road to Whiterun.” She stood up, almost as if it was an automatic motion. She headed up the stairs, not really present, her mind somewhere else completely.  

                Whiterun was once a beautiful city. It wasn’t as cramped and over-populated as Solitude, and it smelled less of mildew and rot than Riften. It dominated the rolling tundra, situated on a large hill of rock amidst the vast open plains. It was once a heavily fortified, walled city, but its barriers were now crumbling. Its watchtowers sat precariously on deteriorating turrets, and everything smelled like horses. Despite this, the settlement was still charming. Unobstructed vistas of open grasslands, set against sawtooth mountains were highlighted by the colors of the sunset, in hues of pink, orange, and purple.

                Mallus had proved rather easy to locate. He made daily deliveries to the Bannered Mare from Honningbrew Meadery, just outside the city proper. He was a surly-looking Imperial, his skin pasty and pallid, dark circles made his grey eyes seem larger than they really were, and his hair hung in greasy strings about his shoulders. They sat in a secluded corner of the Bannered Mare, where he got right down to business.

                "I'm going to keep this short 'cause we've got a lot to do.” Mallus drummed his fingers on the table.  “Honningbrew's owner, Sabjorn, is about to hold a tasting for Whiterun's Captain of the Guard and we're going to poison the mead." Aelyn’s brows shot up. Oh, she wasn’t sure she liked this at all. She sighed.

                “Do you have the poison?” She felt disgusting.

                "No, no. That's the beauty of the whole plan.” Mallus grinned, exposing a few rotten teeth in his yellowed grin. “We're going to get Sabjorn to give it to us. The meadery has quite a pest problem and the whole city knows about it. Pest poison and mead don't mix well, you know what I mean?"

                “Right. How do I fit in?” Aelyn crossed her arms over her chest, watching Val at the bar out of the corner of her eye. A Redguard woman sporting a nasty-looking scar on her otherwise flawless face was shamelessly flirting with him. Strange. She could tell he was humoring her but it was odd to see him look so uninterested. 

                "You're going to happen by and lend poor old Sabjorn a helping hand. He's going to give you the poison to use on the pests, but you're also going to dump it into the brewing vat." Mallus had that look on his face that particularly dense people get when they thought they were being original. Aelyn decided to play into it a little.

                “Clever.” Not clever, Gods what a stupid plan.

                “Maven and I spent weeks planning this.” That did not surprise her in the least. His eyes gleamed, “All we need is someone like you to get in there and get it done."

                “Why bother poisoning the nest for Sabjorn?” She leaned back crossing her arms over her chest.

                 "Once Sabjorn is out of the way, Maven has plans for this place. One way or another, we don't want the pests coming back. Consider it just more of the dirty work. I did my part getting them in there, now you need to clear them out." Mallus had a way of lifting his upper lip when he spoke like everything that came out of his mouth was distasteful even to him.

                “How do I get to the brewing vats?” She shifted in her seat, as the Redguard woman let out a particularly fake laugh. What had been her name? Saddie? Sammie?

                "Both of the buildings are connected by tunnels made by the pests infesting the meadery. There's an entrance to it in the basement storeroom of the warehouse that used to be boarded over. I've already removed the boards so the meadery would get infested. That's where you should start." She nodded as he spoke. Sadia. That was it.

                “What about just going in through the brewery?” Aelyn tilted her head to the side wondering why she had to crawl through filth-littered, skeever-infested tunnels.

                "Sabjorn keeps that locked up tight. If you can get through that way, go right ahead." Mallus shrugged.

                “Why are you doing all this?” Mallus was going through an awful lot of trouble it seemed to evict his employer.

                "I made the mistake of borrowing coin from Sabjorn. He's allowing me to pay it back, but he's working my fingers to the bone! He treats me like a slave... I have to do every nasty, dirty job in the meadery." His eyes gleamed with anger and yet… There was something more to this.

                “There's more to this than a debt, isn't there?” Aelyn stood up, ready to get started.

                "If this plan works, not only is my debt gone, but I'll be set up for life. Maven and I worked out a little deal. If Sabjorn ends up in jail, she's going to take over his meadery. And guess who gets to run the Black-Briar Meadery in Whiterun? You're looking at him." That was it, Mallus had quite a bit to gain from this venture. Maven wasn’t just ensuring that the market stayed in her favor, she wanted to be the market. Aelyn frowned and nodded. There was no end goal for people like Maven, greed was a progressive disease, eating a person up from the inside until there was nothing left.

Chapter Text

The Honningbrew Meadery was just outside of the walls of Whiterun. The place was cozy and inviting from the outside, well set up and welcoming. However, the moment Aelyn opened the door, they were greeted with a bloody mess of a venom-fang skeever corpse in the middle of the taproom.

"What are you gawking at? Can't you see I have problems here?" A balding Nord scathed at them.

“Something wrong?” She couldn’t help the smirk that hid in the corner of her mouth while Val covered his own grin discreetly.

"Are you kidding me? Look at this place. I'm supposed to be holding a tasting of the new Honningbrew Reserve for the Captain of the Guard.” The man sighed, “If he sees the meadery in this state, I'll be ruined."

“Well, I might be convinced to lend you a hand?” Aelyn stepped forward, Val leaned against the wall near the entrance watching her handle the situation with an amused look on his face.

“Oh really? And I don't suppose you'd just do it out of the kindness of your heart, would you?” the man scoffed. “I hope you're not expecting to get paid until the job's done."

“Sure, if you call the kindness of my heart 600 septims. Half up front.” Aelyn toed the skeever carcass with the tip of her boot.

“You’re kidding right?” The man – Aelyn assumed was Sabjorn at that point scathed.

“Well, I could just yell Skeever…” She tilted her head to the side, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Damn it, fine. Three hundred up front – and you’d better ensure the vermin are permanently eliminated before my reputation is completely destroyed." Sabjorn went behind the counter to gather her down payment. Val leaned over her shoulder grinning.

“You know, I never get tired watching you bargain. That silver tongue of yours is…” He paused, choosing his words, “Something to be admired.” Aelyn felt her ears heat, but she couldn’t help the grin that crawled across her face.

“Well, I’m sure you’d know, after all, thirty percent almost puts me out of a profit margin.” Her eyes drifted over to his and she saw his smile grow.

“Thirty? I believe you’re mistaken sweetheart, it was thirty-five. Plus, hazard pay and expenses. Though I could be convinced to re-negotiate.” He watched her mull it over for a moment.

“Are you sure you’d still come out on top?” The calculating look she gave him was making his blood run a little hotter than normal.

“It’s one of my favorite positions.” He shrugged as Sabjorn brought Aelyn’s bag of gold to her, she turned completely red as his words sank in.

“I bought some poison. I was going to have my lazy, good-for-nothing assistant Mallus handle it, but he seems to have vanished.” Sabjorn handed over the bag of gold and three bottles of viscous black liquid. “If you plant this in the vermin's nest, it should stop them from ever coming back."

“You've got a deal.” Aelyn smiled congenially before heading over to the storage room.

"Don't come back until every one of those things are dead," Sabjorn called after her.

There was a trail of refuse and blood that led right up to the storage room door. Vicious-looking traps were laid out before it. Aelyn took care not to set any of them off as they picked their way through toward the storage room. She slowly opened the door, peeking inside.

“So, we never did lay out what hazard pay amounted to,” Val stated carefully surveying the storage room.

“You want to discuss this now?” Aelyn pulled out her dagger, venom-fang skeever were a notch above the typical pest infestation. They could be downright dangerous if one wasn’t careful.

“It seems like a rather appropriate time to discuss it, if you ask me.” He stepped in front of her listening carefully. There was a hole in the wall large enough for a person to squeeze through on the far side of the storage room. It led into a tunnel beneath the meadery.

“I’d rather pay attention to the unusually sized rodents that are bound to jump out and attack us if you don’t mind.” A scuffling sound came from the hole in the wall ahead of them. Aelyn tensed, ready for the attack.

“My usual rate would be closer to pay and a half…” Val’s reflexes were smooth as the biggest skeever Aelyn had ever seen came hurtling through the opening.

The hairs on her arms stood on end as static energy gathered around them, focusing in Val’s palm. Lightning arced forth from his fingertips toward the skeever. Aelyn fell backward; landing hard on her backside. He’d said he could use magic but this was the first time she had actually seen him do it. The skeever seized as electricity shot through it before it fell limply to the floor. She stared at Val, wide-eyed, unsure if she was feeling terrified or excited. He glanced back at her, his brows coming together in confusion at her gaping expression.

“You alright?” He reached out to her and she flinched instinctively.

“Yeah, just…” She grasped his hand, letting him help her to her feet. “Took me by surprise is all.” He tilted his head, contemplating her reaction.

“Do you not like magic?” He asked carefully, confused as to why someone who also used destruction magic would be afraid of it.

“It’s not that. I was just surprised, really.” She offered him a weak smile, before heading over to the hole in the wall and peering in. “Also, pay and half is ridiculous. Standard is fifteen percent.”

“F-fifteen?! That’s outrageous!” He followed closely behind her.

“You have a vastly overinflated perception of standard pay.” She crawled through the hole, finding the tunnel on the other side large enough for her to stand up in. The size of the tunnel seemed like something that should have been concerning…

“Yea well, generally it’s because I’m worth it.” He grinned.

“I wonder if this is the appropriate time to remind you that I saved you from dying an awful death on that deserted island?” Aelyn smirked musing out loud, Val said something derisive under his breath. “Hmm, what was that, Val?”

“Fifty.” Val watched her tense and then relax, just before she threw herself around the corner in front of them. Her blade sunk deep into a skeever, it thrashed as she twisted the blade and pulled backward, gutting the creature mercilessly.

"Fifteen, Val." Aelyn stood over the creature's carcass.

“You’ve got that stab and twist technique down really well, you know that?” He grumbled and Aelyn laughed. Aelyn shook the blood off her dagger as she yanked it free from the skeever corpse.

“I think fifteen percent is rather generous. I’m also covering expenses and paying a baseline of thirty-five percent. You do realize what that means right?” She glanced over her shoulder at him.

“It means you’re willing to renegotiate.” Val couldn’t help his grin. She was almost operating at a loss because of him, she still had to pay Remi as well he assumed.  

“It surely does.” She sighed. “Listen, if I pay you twenty-five percent, then I can give you hazard pay at fifty percent of your normal cut. That’s the only way you’re getting fifty percent of anything. We could potentially work something out where I can give you twenty-five percent of my bonus pay but I’m not budging on fifteen under the current agreement.” Val paused, watching her as she stalked ahead.

“What about a three-way split?” His words made Aelyn halt. She stood up straight, turning to face him.

“What?” She breathed, was he saying what she thought he was saying?

“Equal share.” He was serious, she observed him for a moment.

“You want to be partners?” Aelyn clarified and he didn’t correct her. “Are you sure?”

“Well, Remi seems alright from our short interaction together, and uh…” He shifted, clearing his throat. “I guess, I don’t mind working with you so far.” She mulled his words over before a small smile lifted the corner of her mouth.

“Well, you’re certainly capable and… I don’t mind having you around.” She averted her gaze, turning away from him to hide the soft blush on her cheeks.

“So…” He tried to catch her eyes but she was already moving ahead. “Is that a yes?” It was Aelyn’s turn to clear her throat.

“Yeah.” She glanced back at him and caught him grinning. “Sure.” She smiled.

The tunnel opened up into a small cavern, and the tunnel continued on the other side of it, taking a sharp right turn past a trip wire. The wire was connected to a spiked ball on a chain that would fall whenever the trap was triggered. Strange. Why would there be a trip wire set up so far into the tunnel? Aelyn doubted that Mallus had come down there and set it up. She paused.

“Val…” Aelyn lifted her chin toward the trap.

“I see it.” He frowned.

Just as the words left his mouth, two venom-fang skeever rounded the corner, one tripping the trap, the other leaping toward Aelyn. She rolled out of the way, as the second skeever shook off the hit it took from triggering the trap. The first leapt at Val, who quickly ran it through with his cutlass, and the second knocked Aelyn on her back. She covered her face, as it clawed at her arms before she threw it off of her with some effort. The creature hissed skidding to a halt as it prepared to snap at her again, she launched herself forward, and her dagger found its mark behind the thing’s skull. She felt the resistance of bone and cartilage as her blade dug in deep, and then the satisfying pop, as it sank in.

“I don’t like this. Something feels… Off.” Vall kicked the carcass before he helped Aelyn to her feet. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” She grumbled, upset that the thing had taken her by surprise.

She dusted herself off and moved toward the tunnel that the skeever had come from, inspecting the trap that had been sprung. The wire and rope it connected to looked relatively new. Someone had recently set it up. She crept past it with extra care, Val close on her heels. The tunnel wound downward, reaching a large open cavern. Several of the skeever meandered about, nipping at each other, digging into the earth, making off-putting purring noises. Aelyn crept closer, trying to get a count on how many were in the cavern. A loose rock slid out from underfoot, tumbling down and out into the cavern. Each of the skeever stood, noses and ears twitching, seeking out the source of the sound. Aelyn gasped, trying to back up and colliding with Val as the beady eyes of skeever found them.

“Fuck.” Aelyn whimpered, the sound echoing across the space.

“Hello?” A growling voice called from the other end of the cavern. The skeever rushed toward them, fangs dripping.

“Val…” Aelyn tried to get out of the way.

“I got it.” He ran toward them, his fist crackling with electricity.

He released the arcs of lightning as the first skeever reached him.  A disheveled-looking man emerged from the shadows, crying out as the first skeever fell lifeless to the cavern floor. The man released an unintelligible screech as he ran toward Val, a ball of ice forming in his fist. There wasn’t any time. Aelyn felt her skin heat, she wasn’t even thinking, she saw Val overwhelmed by the skeever, the madman running toward them and suddenly a flare of light lit up the cavern as flames erupted from her.

Fire poured forth, racing toward the stranger, a heat so intense, the skeever ignited by proximity, screeching and thrashing in panic. Their attacker met his demise almost instantly, his flesh boiled and popped, peeling back and shriveling. His scream of terror died just as it began; before the stench of burnt skin even had the chance to reach either of them. It was over almost as fast as it started. The stink of charred flesh and burnt hair made Aelyn gag. Val covered his mouth and nose staring at her wide-eyed.

“What was that?” His voice was muffled through his sleeve. Aelyn stood panting; she hadn’t meant for it to get quite so intense. Her eyes were wide as she clenched her hands into fists trying to hide their tremor, staring at the destruction she’d wrought.  

“We… We should get out of here.” She nodded to herself, walking briskly across the cavern.

“Hey!” He hurried after her. He was sure that wasn’t normal. Aelyn turned toward him abruptly.

“Here,” She pressed a bottle of the poison into his hand. “Let’s just poison the nest, and get out of here.” She turned away, finding the skeever nest next to where the stranger had set up a camp of sorts.

Val watched her for a moment long before moving towards the skeever nest.

Their interloper had been sleeping right next to the nest, it reeked of urine and the musty smell of skeever. Aelyn found a journal next to the bedroll, half hidden under soiled hay that she stuffed into her bag. Val dumped the poison into the nest, though he was sure they had killed the last of the skeever infesting the tunnels. Or rather… Aelyn had reduced them to ashes. He glanced in her direction again, worried that she’d somehow hurt herself more than anything. Her eyes had been wide with fear and he had to admit, he’d never seen anything like that before. Had she known that was going to happen or had she been just as surprised as him?

After a short clim he tunnels emptied into the boilery, next door to the taproom just as Mallus had said they would. Aelyn silently climbed up to one of the vats and dumped the pesticide into the mead. By the time they returned to the Meadery, Sabjorn was pacing anxiously as Mallus stood by, observing the scene before them. Commander Caius was already waiting at the far end of the bar. Sabjorn rushed over to them immediately.

"Well, it's about time! I had to stall the captain until you were finished." Sabjorn hissed, motioning toward Mallus to go and retrieve a sample of the new mead recipe from the boilery. Grinning, Mallus hurried out of the taproom, returning moments later with a fresh sample for the commander.

"Well, Sabjorn. Now that you've taken care of your little pest problem, how about I get a taste of some of your mead?" The Commander grinned, as Sabjorn poured a tankard of the new recipe for him.

"Help yourself, milord. It's my finest brew yet... I call it Honningbrew Reserve. I think you'll find it quite pleasing to your palate." Sabjorn rubbed his hands together, smiling nervously.

"Oh come now, this is mead... not some wine to be sipped and savored." Caius took a long drink from his tankard. He let the flavor roll around in his mouth for a moment before a concerned look crossed his face. He suddenly clutched his stomach, groaning in pain. "By the Eight?! What... what's in this?”

"I... I don't know. What's wrong?" Sabjorn stepped back from the commander.

"You assured me this place was clean!” The commander winced, his face turning red. “I'll see... see to it that you remain in irons for the rest of your days!"

"No, please! I don't understand..." Sabjorn began to plead, this was the part that set Aelyn on edge. She had to turn away.

"Silence, idiot! I should have known better... to trust this place after it's been riddled with filth." Commander Caius snarled as he pulled out his sword.

"I beg you... please. This is not what it seems!" Sabjorn’s face drained of all color.

"You... you're in charge here until I can sort this all out," Caius shouted at Mallus as he produced a pair of cuffs for Sabjorn. "And you...” He turned angrily toward Sabjorn, “You're coming with me to Dragonsreach. We'll see how quickly your memory clears in the city's prisons. Now move."

"Look, I assure you, this is all just a huge misunderstanding!" The Nord appeared almost close to tears, his life’s work crumbling in front of him. The captain clapped the cuffs onto Sabjorn’s wrists.

"I said move!" Caius growled dragging Sabjorn out of his own taproom. Mallus grinned watching the scene unfold.

"Farewell, Sabjorn." He said softly as Commander Caius pushed Sabjorn out the door. Mallus turned toward Aelyn. Her stomach turned. “I don't think that could have gone any better. Anything else you need before you head back to Riften?"

“I need to get a look at Sabjorn's books.” She hated the sensation that was settling in her, she felt dirty.

"So, Maven wants to hunt down Sabjorn's private partner, huh? You're welcome to take a look around Sabjorn's office. He keeps most of his papers stashed in his desk. Here, this should help." Mallus handed Aelyn the key to Sabjorn’s quarters.

“What are you going to do with this place?” She asked tentatively.

"Start changing it over to the Black-Briar Meadery West as soon as possible. That was Maven's part of the deal. She's put me in charge of keeping the mead flowing, so that's exactly what I'm going to do. If you're in the area and you ever need anything fenced, you just let me know." Mallus grinned and Aelyn nodded before she frowned.

“You never mentioned that lunatic living in the tunnels.” Her grip tightened around the key in her hand.

"I thought it would be better to leave some of the details out of our previous discussion.” Mallus didn’t seem the least bit bothered. “Didn't want to risk you walking away from the job. Besides, you've done Maven a favor getting rid of him and saved me from wasting coin hiring someone else to do it later." It was all she could do to school her expression and repress the snarl that wanted to take her over.

“Right. Whatever.” Aelyn turned and stalked toward the storeroom once more.

Sabjorn’s office was inside his quarters on the upper level of store room. The key allowed her access to the office. She glanced over at Val who had been quiet since they’d left the tunnels. He inspected the office with an air of disinterest. Inside Sabjorn’s desk, Aelyn found a promissory note from Sabjorn’s investor and her stomach dropped. The same symbol that had graced the seal of the Goldenglow bill of sale, sat at the bottom of the note she held in her hand. She had known, there was too much overlap between the two jobs. The investor for Honningbrew and the buyer for Goldenglow were connected.

Chapter Text

Aelyn’s mind was racing over the little symbol on the promissory note as they made their way back to Whiterun. There was no way that whoever was behind both Goldenglow and Honningbrew wasn’t intimately familiar with the guild, and the likelihood that someone in the guild also knew this person was very high. She chewed her lip, deep in thought.

“So…” Val cleared his throat causing her to jump in surprise.

She had nearly forgotten he was even there. She didn’t respond but wordlessly handed the note over to Val for him to see for himself. He looked confused; he had been about to bring up what had happened in the tunnels below the meadery but the question went unasked as he skimmed the note Aelyn had recovered.

“Hey isn’t this the same little symbol from the Goldenglow bill of sale?” He looked up at her as she continued to gaze ahead of them, walking at a leisurely pace.

“It is. I had my suspicions that the two events were connected somehow but, it looks like the investor and the buyer were the same person.” Aelyn held out her hand and Val gave the note back to her.

“That could complicate things.” He frowned.

“I think it already has. Someone in the guild knows this person.” Aelyn tucked the note into her satchel as they walked.

“Hey about what happened,” Val watched as she stiffened next to him and he paused. “Are you alright?” Her gaze slowly shifted to him, and a hint of surprise lined her expression. “You seemed a little shaken up.” He added.

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine.” Her words came out in a breath, almost like she didn’t entirely believe them herself.

“I’ve never seen a spell like that before.” He watched her carefully, trying to decipher her expression. It was no use, she was wearing an impenetrable mask. He was sure that asking her about it was a futile effort when she finally cleared her throat.

“It wasn’t a spell.” Aelyn’s gaze was fixed ahead of them as if she could see the mountains in the distance under the veil of darkness.

It was a moonless night. One of the rare nights of the year when both Masser and Secunda hid themselves from view, and the stars painted an infinite mosaic across the sky. Val waited for her to continue, the confusion plain on his face.

“What does it feel like? When you’re standing on the open sea, and a storm is rolling in?” She asked. His brows drew together.

“Well, I can’t say there’s anything quite like it.” A wistful smile stretched across his face, “The air is charged, thick, it feels unsettled like you almost can’t resist reaching out and…” He paused, “Why are you asking this?” She stopped walking and turned toward him, grasping his hand, and holding it a few inches from her chest. A similar sensation overcame him like the air around her was so charged and energized that it could burst into flame at any second. “What…” The sensation was so overpowering, it felt like something physical was pushing against his fingertips. “What is that?” Aelyn shrugged.

“I don’t really have an explanation. I just know that my magic doesn’t gather from the world around me, it comes from here.” She patted her chest.

Most magic was affected by its environment, ice spells were stronger in snowy regions, lightning spells were inherently more effective when it was storming, and conjuration spells were easier to cast in areas where the veil between planes was thinner.  The basic reasoning was that there was more energy in the atmosphere around the magic wielder that was conducive to such spells, easing their casting and enhancing their effect. Yet, instead of trying to pull energy from the environment as most mages would, Aelyn was trying to keep the energy contained. The opposite of how magic was supposed to work.

“Huh.” His hand lingered, feeling the air about her, intrigued by the strange sensation. He’d noticed that something had been off with her even from the first time he’d seen her use magic but he hadn’t been able to put his finger on exactly what it had been. “I wonder why…” He muttered more to himself than to her.

The sound of music drifted down the hill from Whiterun. Hulda had said the Harvest’s End festival was happening, but Aelyn hadn’t considered what that meant other than an overly crowded inn. As they passed the main gate into the city, music, chatter, the smell of delicious baked goods, and laughter all assaulted her senses. She was too tired to appreciate any of it, desperate for a bath to rid herself of the stench of burnt skeever and a stiff drink to put her to sleep.

The baths in the Bannered Mare were in the basement, just past the storerooms at the bottom of the stairs. Hulda had given her the key when she purchased the bottle of brandy now firmly in her grasp. Aelyn eagerly stripped down, sinking into the heated water with a deep sigh. There was always this chill she felt after releasing too much power, a bone-deep aching cold. What had happened in the tunnels hadn’t been a significant release of power but, it had been long enough since she had done so that the ache was similar. 

Aelyn leaned back against the stone wall of the bath popping the cork on the bottle in her hand and taking a long drink. The bath was large enough for a few people, the water filled a stone basin set into the floor, with the dressing area behind a partition on the far side.  The water was heated by a furnace, and hot rocks created a steam effect that wrapped around her body like a warm hug. She could hear singing from the floor above as the brandy burned her throat, and maybe it would be enough for her to stop thinking so hard for an evening. She sat in the stillness until her fingers began to wrinkle, and her bottle was half gone.

Unsure how long she’d been soaking, she extracted herself from the water. Washing up quickly before dressing, she finger-combed her hair and forced her feet into her boots without lacing them properly, she was tired from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. Feeling pleasantly buzzed and contented, she carefully climbed the steps to the room they had rented at the very top of the stairs. If she was lucky, she’d be there before Val, and something told her he didn’t share particularly well. Aelyn was intent on rolling herself up into a little cocoon in the covers before he had a chance to steal them. She rounded the landing and found none other than the man in question heading back down the stairs. 

"Ah, there you are." He grinned turning her around, seemingly intent on pulling her along with him. Aelyn looked at the door to the room with dismay. She'd been so close.

"I was actually just heading to bed." She tried to resist, but his grip on her shoulders was firm. 

"Nah, let's head down to the festivities, you need to unwind." He wasn't letting her go that easily, and while she was suspicious of what he was actually up to she was too tired to fight him all that hard.

“What are you on about? I can do that by myself.” Aelyn huffed.

“You've been so tense the past few days, it's not good for your health.” He said simply, half dragging her down the stairs, her hair still damp, though at least she didn’t smell like burnt flesh and smoke anymore.

"Well thank you for your sudden interest in my well-being but really I just want to-" She stopped abruptly as he paused at the base of the stairs, turning toward her with a smirk.

“Come on,” He had that glint in his eyes that made her falter, her brow furrowing suspiciously. “Let me buy you a drink, humor me. What are you afraid of?”

“Afraid?” Aelyn stood up a little straighter, her position on the stairs made her height comparable to his. “No, just apprehensive. I know how you like saying stuff to make me squirm.” Val couldn’t contain a chuckle as she rolled her eyes, that grin of his tugging at the corner of his mouth in a pleasing way.

“If I wanted to make you squirm,” He took a half step toward her, testing the waters. “I wouldn’t be using my words.” He let his fingertip trace up her arm and to his surprise, she didn’t jump away from him.

That lovely rose hue began to bloom over the bridge of her nose and crest over her cheekbones as she bit her lip in thought. He paused, not entirely sure how to take her sudden change in demeanor. She exhaled deeply, gently placing her palm on his chest which he covered with his own before she pushed him back.

“Is that all it takes for some quiet?” Her face was unreadable to him, was she teasing him? Or was she serious?

“I never said it would be quiet.” He still held her hand against his chest. She was playing a new game, and he didn’t mind it at all. Aelyn cracked at last, smirking before she started to laugh, pulling her hand free.

“Fine. Fine.” She raised her hands in surrender. “Just one drink.” She brushed past him, shaking her head and grinning.

If Val truly had a magical ability, it was procuring drinks in a crowded tavern. Aelyn was sipping a pleasant mulled wine within moments, humming appreciatively. She found an empty space on one of the long benches near the hearth, still having a bit of chill running through her. The mulled wine and the roaring fire seemed to be doing just the trick at keeping her from shivering. She almost felt guilty about giving Val such a hard time, and though she didn't understand it, he seemed to light up in situations like these. Almost as if he thrived on being around people. It baffled her how he was able to talk to almost anyone, and they all seemed eager to talk to him. For the life of her, she couldn't puzzle it out but found it intriguing to observe. He glanced over his shoulder just in time to catch her watching him. He nodded to the people he was speaking to and meandered back toward her. 

"See something you like?" His cheeky grin was infectious and she smiled despite herself.

"You know, I feel as though you're assuming something." Aelyn took a long drink from her cup, the half bottle of brandy and the warm drink in her hand were doing wonders for her confidence. He raised a curious brow at her. 

"Oh? What is that then?" He leaned a little closer. 

"You seem to think you're irresistible to me." She regarded him with hooded eyes, her smile turning mischievous. "But, I'm beginning to wonder if it's not the other way around." His brows raised, and he looked equal parts impressed and surprised. A short laugh of disbelief escaped him, he wasn't sure what had her showing him this side of her.

"Would you like to find out?" He was suddenly incensed by it and wondered if he could tease out more of it. Maybe she was right. Aelyn had a quiet charm about her, a mystery that he couldn't seem to stop himself from poking at. He found himself both fascinated and intrigued but her strange magnetism. He suddenly grabbed her hand, pulling her toward the door.

"Val?" She sounded much less sure as he quickly ushered them out of the tavern into the market square.

The transformation the square had undergone in just a few hours was shocking. Banners hung from every building, people filled the square, different booths were set up handing out food and drink, and a trio of bards were playing an upbeat tune as people danced artlessly, laughing and smiling. The atmosphere was almost overwhelming when Val pressed another cup of wine into her hands. She raised a brow at him understanding too late that she was definitely not escaping the evening with 'just one drink'. He drank deeply from his cup before setting it down with the rest of the empties off to the side of the table behind them. Aelyn started to shake her head, realizing exactly where all this was headed.  

"Val. No." She started to push the cup back toward him and he grinned. 

"Yes." He stepped closer to her, threading his fingers between hers.

"No. Really. No." She shook her head, he didn't release her hand as he tried not to laugh. 

"By Azura, you'd think I was forcing you to do something truly atrocious." He pressed a chaste kiss to her knuckles. 

"You absolutely are. Val, I  can't dance." Aelyn hissed. She wanted to back away but the throng of dancers were positioned behind her, and Val was blocking her escape route. 

"That's simply not possible." He assured her, "Trust me. You're pretty handy in a fight, right?" 

"What does that have to do with this?" Her heart was suddenly racing with anxiety, she drank her whole cup in one go and grabbed a second. Much, much, more alcohol was required for her to be able to get through what was surely coming next. 

"Good footwork is crucial in a fight, and you darling, are incredibly light on your feet." His words made her pause mid-drink.

"Gods, I must be drunk, you're starting to make sense..." She suddenly set her cup down looking at it like she'd ingested something strange. 

"Good, then you're drunk enough to dance. Let's go." He pulled her into the throng of merry-makers so quickly that she let out a yelp of surprise. 

The steps were a blur to her, and her brain began to work under the haze of giddy spirits. Val seemed to know what he was doing, and she maybe had drunk that last cup a little too quickly. The wonderful thing about festival dances though, was that they were generally simple enough to follow drunk. It was easy enough to mimic the people around them, even if she did half of the steps backward. It was easier when Val could lead her through the steps, and maybe she didn't hate it so much when he pulled her in close and moved her where she needed to be. He spun her in quickly and for some reason, Aelyn began laughing though she couldn't discern why. Maybe it was as if the momentum of the turn that forced it out of her. She began clapping along, moving in time with the music, smiling like an idiot as she realized that she had definitely drunk that last cup too quickly. Val was smiling at her and giving her a look she didn't recognize and everything was moving too quickly. She was feeling unsteady, and entirely too light. The mixture of exhaustion, exertion, and too much alcohol was sending her into a tailspin. The thought crossed her mind that perhaps, she was about to spin right off the face of Nirn when something suddenly stopped her. She was glad for it but didn't like the sensation it left her with. The spicy, tart, scent of citrus that filled her nose soothed her as she rested her forehead against something firm.

"Here we go again," Val murmured as he held Aelyn up, her head resting against his chest. 

"To be fair, I only agreed to one drink." She groaned trying to push away from him, he chuckled.

"Alright, let's go cool your head a bit. I know you well enough now that when you get cuddly it means you've had too much." He grinned as she walked a surprisingly straight line toward the Bannered Mare, though it was evident that the task was taking all her concentration. 

The tavern door burst open before she could react, an overly stout Nord kicked through it, sloppily cheering with his companions, the ale in his tankard spilling out. She didn't even react as the brew sloshed over her, she seemed to be on a delay of sorts. The man didn't even see her, he and his gaggle of compatriots looked right over her head as she stood frozen with her arms out like a wet cat. Val stared wondering how she was going to react before he guided her up the steps.

"Let's get you upstairs." He tried desperately to not be too amused by her expression as she looked to him helplessly. The woman who had stabbed a man in the streets of Markarth, and reduced the crazy skeever whisperer beneath Honningbrew to ash, was suddenly incapable of movement. 

Aelyn ended up borrowing Val's spare shirt, as her change of clothes smelled like smoke and death, and her 'clean' set was soaked in ale. He had opened the hatch window in their room and climbed out onto the roof while she changed. Aelyn glanced around like she was doing something wrong before inhaling his scent from the fibers of his shirt. She couldn't place it, but it smelled wonderful, a much-appreciated improvement to stale ale. He smelled wonderful, she'd noticed it before as well and made a mental note to track the scent down. She shook her head before she pulled herself up through the hatch window. The cool air of the night soothed her overheated head. Val had already laid back against the roof, his hands laced behind his head staring up at the stars.

“You know, the stars in Skyrim are almost as beautiful as they are at sea,” He made a pleased sound in his chest.  Aelyn fell back against the roof with a groan.

“Every time I drink with you, it seems to end up like this. I’m going to be hung over and we’re going to have to travel all the way back to Riften in the morning.” She complained.

“If I’m lucky you’ll assault my virtue again.” Val laughed.

“I don’t know what that means but, of all the things the gods imbued you with I’m not sure virtue is among them.” Aelyn mused and he laughed harder. She was just drunk enough for her normal verbal filter to have lost its way. “Val Serano, Pirate Captain-” She waved her hand in front of her. “Charming, clever, charismatic, handsome, and capable, also deplorable rake.”

“Careful there Aelyn, it almost sounds as though you might like me a little bit.” He propped himself up on his elbow, watching her with an amused expression.

“My opinion doesn’t make any of those things less true.” She sighed deeply, the flush she already had from the alcohol deepened. “Also, stop saying my name all sexy-like. It’s ridiculous at this point.”

“It’s not irrelevant, and I don’t say your name any differently than I say anyone else’s. You just like it.” He turned flat on his back once again staring out at the infinite number of stars

“I can’t tell you something like that. I know you’ll tease me.” She frowned.

“So, you do like me.” His grin deepened and he turned on his side to face her. Aelyn watched him carefully as he shifted closer, reaching out to let his fingers slide through her hair, unable to resist tracing the shell of her ear. She was quiet for a moment.

“Are you going to kiss me?” He was stunned by her question, Aelyn was never so straightforward, and the way she asked it, she could have asked if he was going to put his boots on and it would have sounded the same. His shoulders shook with silent laughter, and he had to compose himself before attempting to respond.

“I’m not going to take advantage of you, at least not tonight.” He shrugged, Aelyn sat up, giving him a quizzical look.

“You’re not?” Her eyelids were low, she wasn’t long for the waking world.

“Don’t sound so disappointed.” He noted the pensive look on her face. “What?” She bit her lip in thought before starting to move toward the hatch window when he pressed his index finger to the middle of her forehead effectively stopping her. Aelyn fell back against the rooftop as he pressed harder. “I didn’t say I didn’t want to. Ask me in the morning.”

“Well, I’m probably not going to let you in the morning.” Her brow furrowed in confusion.

“And that’s exactly why I’m not going to right now.” His face was serious. He nodded toward the sky, “You know, clear nights like this – Sometimes I’d sleep out on the deck.”

“I heard the constellations look different, here in Skyrim compared to Valenwood or Elsweyr.” She fought a loud yawn unsuccessfully as a shiver ran through her. The clear sky meant a crisp cold night.

“They’re upside down,” Val confirmed, he smiled as he thought about it pulling her closer much like one would pull a pillow toward them. Aelyn let him, her guard down for once, too exhausted to care about making a fuss over it. “They move throughout the seasons as well.”

“What sign were you born under?” Aelyn’s head rested on his shoulder.

“I was born in Midyear, so The Steed.” He shifted so that she was resting more comfortably, tucked into him rather than against his shoulder. “What about you?”

“Hmmm… I was born in Evening Star so… Oh.” She flushed, suddenly feeling self-conscious.

“The Thief?” He grinned, “That seems a little on the nose.”

"Shut it." She shoved at him and he laughed. "Yours isn't much better. You're still running from place to place."

"Call me crazy, I know we've been traveling all over but..." He paused, staring up at the sky again and if Aelyn wasn't absolutely sure she knew better then maybe she would have imagined a slightly pinkish flush gracing the shell of his ear. "I feel like I've been doing less of that these days. The running, I mean." There was a long pause between them before she sat up, inspecting her nails carefully.

"You know Val," She began softly, "I was adrift for a long time. I didn't know which way was North. I had no tether, no anchor, and no place to return to." She paused choosing her words carefully, "I guess some people would be envious of that sort of life but, I just felt lost. I thought I would never have something like that, a home that was mine." Aelyn picked at the little wooden tiles on the roof, her ears feeling hot. "Eventually, though, I realized that home isn't a place. It can't be, because you can never really return to places you once were. They are all changed. It's something you create when you care about others." Aelyn crawled over to the hatch window, "Who knows, maybe..." She shook her head and didn't finish her sentence. She remembered what it was like when she and Remi had found one another. Her little sister she never had; her world had grown a little bit. She had someone to worry about and someone who did the same for her. She wasn't about to presume Val felt anything like that. But maybe. 

Chapter Text

The wind had shifted, blowing cold and bearing down from the North. Autumn was upon Skyrim. The Rift had turned into a forest of golden leaves, making the journey back feel surreal. Everything was filtered through a golden lens. If only the carriage ride wasn't making Aelyn’s already sore bottom nearly unbearable.

She had awoken pleasantly enough, her hangover not nearly as bad as she had anticipated. It was when she realized why she was so pleasantly warm that the morning had gone downhill. She wasn’t sure why she had assumed that Val would stay on his side of the bed, and she on hers. Aelyn blamed it on the fact that she had been quite drunk the night before, and if she was being honest even if they had woken up cuddled up next to each other, it might not have been so bad. 

That was not what had happened. A war of sorts had been waged in their sleep. Val’s arm wrapped around her thigh and pulled over him as if he had mistaken her for the blanket in the middle of the night, her arm twisted in the shirt she had borrowed, at least three sizes too large for her, and the actual blanket twisted around her and Val both. Aelyn had tried to jump out of bed too quickly, Val still holding her leg tightly as she fell and toppled onto the floor.

Her mood had already started sour, and to add to it, they were back in Riften. Aelyn climbed the stairs to the upper level of the Bee and Barb to find Maven waiting for her.

“This doesn't tell me much. The only thing that could identify Sabjorn's partner is this odd little symbol." Maven’s frown deepened as she waved the note in the air. "Well, whoever this mysterious marking represents, they'll regret starting a war with me. You should bring this information to the Thieves Guild immediately." Maven passed the paper back to Aelyn. "There's also the matter of your payment. I believe you'll find this more than adequate for your services."

Aelyn palmed the bag of gold Maven handed her. Lighter than she’d expected. Maven looked down at her as she stood up, the Nord woman was almost an entire foot taller than Aelyn. Her eyes were daring her to say something. Aelyn smirked.

“Sure, I understand, Goldenglow and Honningbrew are costly ventures.” Aelyn tucked the pouch into her belt.

“I believe we’re done here.” Maven snarled before sweeping out of the inn.

Aelyn sat at the little secluded table after Maven left, turning the promissory note over, and tapping the edge on the table. Whoever was trying to separate Maven and the Guild seemed like someone she ought to know. They were leaving breadcrumbs, they wanted to be followed. Aelyn wondered if she would have enough to offer them in exchange for an alliance when the time came. Maybe a little digging in the guild was in order.

She tucked the note into her jacket and made her way down the stairs to the main floor. She did an obligatory scan for Val and her view was suddenly obstructed. Aelyn tilted her head up to see a familiar ginger-haired thief peering down at her. She frowned.

“Can I help you?” Aelyn tilted her head to the side, stepping back, away from Brynjolf.

“We need to talk.” Something in the tone of his voice told her that he wasn’t referring to the guild.

“I’m only available for guild business.” Aelyn turned to head back up the stairs, maybe Val was in their room?

“He’s with Vex,” Brynjolf said, his voice right behind her. Aelyn paused as she reached the second floor. ‘That was fast.’ She thought to herself. She hadn’t even seen him leave.

“Who’s with Vex?” She cleared her throat trying to sound uninterested.

“Don’t play dumb Lass, it doesn’t suit you.” Brynjolf stepped closer to her. “I wanted to apologize-”

“Good for you.” Aelyn stuck her chin out. “Bother someone else with your free time. I need to talk to Mercer.”  

“Mercer can wait, I just spoke with Maven.” He was being insistent. She paused, looking him over, he was up to something.

“Why are you here, Brynjolf?” Her words were slow as her gaze narrowed on him.

“I need to explain what happened before in the Cistern. I was out of line-” He sounded genuine enough but by now, Aelyn knew better.

“I don’t want your apology; I want to know why you’re here. Why am I suddenly an asset worth insuring again?” She stepped toward him and he grinned.

“Well, I must say it’s not entirely about business.” His hand wandered to her waist; he gently encouraged her closer. “You are an asset to the guild, you're right there.  I want to make sure you feel welcome because what happened last time was a mistake. Word on the street is that poor Sabjorn has found himself in Whiterun's prison. How unfortunate for him.”

“Yes, and very fortunate for Maven.” She couldn’t help but roll her eyes, as she let him pull her in.

“Exactly! Now you're beginning to see how our little system works. Maven said that you discovered something else while you were out there. Something important to the Guild?" He wanted her to find her place within the guild, she could tell that much. Even at that moment, he was trying to manipulate her into wanting to stay.

“You’re a snake.” Aelyn hissed. She knew better, it was stupid to let him get so close.

“I think you like it.” He purred into her ear, his hand splayed across her lower back as he leaned in closer. “You seem to have a thing for rogues and rakes.”

“The same symbol from Goldenglow was involved.” She persisted, placing a hand on his chest. He sighed and pulled back frowning.

"Then this is beyond coincidence—First Aringoth and now Sabjorn. Someone's trying to take us down by driving a wedge between Maven and the Guild. Mercer wants to see you, immediately.” He sounded disappointed.

“I thought you said he could wait?” She couldn’t help but mock him just a little. “What does he want?”

“He can. At least long enough for us to establish an ‘insurance’ policy, as you put it.” Brynjolf began to run his fingers through her hair. Aelyn pushed back, away from him.

“I’m not establishing anything with you. What does Mercer want with me?” She crossed her arms over her chest impatiently.

“Mercer thinks he knows a way to identify this new thorn in our side. He wants to meet with you right away. And if I were you, I'd hurry. I've never seen him this angry before. Hence why I’m here.” He leaned against the wall next to him, watching her with calculating eyes.

“He sent you?” She clarified.

“Well, I may have cut in line a little.” He shrugged.

“Fine. I’ll be there presently. I need to speak to him as well.” She turned toward her room when the door swung open. Aelyn paused; Val was standing in front of her. She looked slowly over her shoulder at Brynjolf with her brow raised. He simply grinned before turning and leaving.

“What did Brynjolf want?” Val asked, stepping aside as Aelyn entered the room.

“A lot of things. Mostly to be a nuisance.” She strapped her dagger to her hip, something had her on edge again. A gut feeling, as if she was about to slide very quickly down a tunnel that she wouldn’t be able to climb back up.

“So, do you have a thing for rogues and rakes?” Val chuckled a little and propped himself against the doorframe. He really needed another hobby besides teasing Aelyn until she snapped at him. Though, it was rather entertaining.

“I don’t think that has anything to do with you.” She began rummaging through her bag. “Also, if you’re going to eavesdrop why bother asking stupid questions? You know why he was here.”

“I seem to recall being labeled a rake just the other night, among other things.” Val had to admit, she was getting better at hiding how flustered she felt. The tops of her ears turned adorably pink but she didn’t react. “So, is that your type? I suppose it would make sense.”

“I don’t have a type. If I did, I think the first requisite would be ‘not a criminal’.” She slid a small knife into the top of her boot, testing it out as she moved one way and then another. Val couldn’t contain a chuckle.

“Aren’t you a criminal?” He reminded her.

“Well, if I’m going to be involved with someone, I figure at least one of us should be above board.” She stood up, ready to leave. “Besides, I’m not usually a criminal.”

“Neither am I. You have to get caught to be a criminal.” Val followed her out of the room.

“Well then, by those standards, I’m a paragon of lawfulness, only one of us has spent time in prison.” She pulled open the door of the Bee and Barb and headed out into the evening.

“I was framed!” He reminded her, following closely on her heels.

“For something you actually did. I’m not sure that counts as being framed.” She argued back making the turn toward the stairs that led down to the Ratway entrance.

“Guess you’ll just have to be the ‘above-board’ one then.” He smirked as she shot him a look.

“As we make our way to the Thieves Guild. I guess we are some sort of involved.” She could tell Val was winding up for some sort of smart-ass remark but she held up her hand to stop him. “Nope. I’ve got enough to stress about. Keep it to yourself.” His grin widened as she playfully pushed him through the door to the Ratway.

When they reached the Ragged Flagon, Aelyn made her way toward the Cistern behind the hidden door in the storeroom hall. She left Val to his own devices in the Flagon, trying not to worry about what could potentially entail. Mercer was waiting for her in the Cistern, angrily pacing back and forth behind his large oak desk off to the side of the large circular room. He looked up as she approached and smiled. A shiver ran up her spine.

"Ah, there you are. I've consulted my contacts regarding the information you recovered from Goldenglow Estate, but no one can identify that symbol." He began immediately, as soon as she was within earshot.

“The promissory note from Honningbrew’s financier had the same symbol.” She watched Mercer carefully; he looked a little unhinged. More so than normal. Perhaps he was simply agitated.

 "It would seem our adversary is attempting to take us apart indirectly by angering Maven Black-Briar. Very clever." He mused, a small, wistful grin on his face. Was he enjoying this? Chasing this person down?

“It almost sounds like you admire them.” Aelyn tilted her head to the side, observing. It was almost as if… It dawned on her. If anyone knew who this mysterious person was, it had to be Mercer. His smile wasn’t wistful it was nostalgic.

"They're well-funded and they've been able to avoid identification for years. I'm impressed it reached this point. Just don't mistake my admiration for complacency; our nemesis is going to pay dearly." Nemesis. What a joke. The guild would have had to be an actual threat to even have one of those. Yet, here they were, hiding in a sewer of all places with Mercer acting like a relapsed skooma addict over a piece of paper.

“Well, if they’re so good, how are we going to take care of this?” Aelyn nearly stepped back at the malicious gleam in Mercer’s eyes.

"Because, even after all their posturing and planning, they've made a mistake. The parchment you recovered mentions a "Gajul-Lei." According to my sources, that's an old alias used by one of our contacts. His real name is Gulum-Ei. Slimy bastard.” Mercer spat out the name like it tasted bad, there was clearly no love lost there, "Gulum-Ei is our inside man at the East Empire Company in Solitude. I'm betting he acted as a go-between for the sale of Goldenglow Estate and that he can finger our buyer. Get out there, shake him down, and see what you come up with. Talk to Brynjolf before you leave if you have any questions." He dismissed her with a wave, thankfully missing the hearty eye roll that she couldn’t hold back.

Aelyn left the cistern, with her mind racing. The place was exhausting, she needed to find a way out of the guild sooner rather than later. Val had been right once again; they were sicking her on the trail just as he said they would. She needed whoever was on the other end on her side. What else could she do but follow the breadcrumbs they had been leaving for her? She found the man in question sitting with Delvin. She was about to find her way over when for the second time that day, a ginger-haired thief blocked her path.

“What did Mercer have to say?” He folded his arms over his chest. Did Brynjolf not trust Mercer?

“He said someone named Gulum Ei’s likely to have been the broker for Goldenglow.” Aelyn sighed impatiently, “He wants me to head there and find out what I can. This guild needs to start covering travel expenses I swear…”

"I can't believe Gulum-Ei's mixed up in all this; that Argonian couldn't find his tail with both hands. Don't get me wrong, he could scam a beggar out of his last septim... but he's no mastermind." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

“You’re thinking I’ll find trouble?” There was no way he was concerned about her, he wanted something else. Aelyn glanced over to the table Delvin and Val sat at, playing cards.

"Trouble? He's one of the most stubborn lizards I've ever met! You have your work cut out for you." Brynjolf laughed, shaking his head.

“So how do I get him to talk?” Aelyn couldn’t help but wonder, why were they sending her. Brynjolf clearly knew this Gulum-Ei better than her. Wouldn’t it make more sense to send him?

"You're going to have to buy him off; it's the only way to get his attention. If that fails, follow him and see what he's up to. If I know Gulum-Ei, he's in way over his head and you'll be able to use it as leverage." There it was. Brynjolf wanted something he could hold over Gulum-Ei’s head to keep him in line and working with the guild. "Just keep on Gulum-Ei's tail and he's bound to step into something he can't scrape off his boot."

“How is Gulum-Ei an asset to the Guild?” Aelyn tried not to smile too much, Brynjolf was giving her everything she wanted, this had to be too easy right? Gulum-Ei was her ticket out of the guild, she could feel it in her bones.

"Gulum-Ei works in the East Empire Company Warehouse. He helps maintain all of the shipments of goods that go in and out of Solitude. That means he has the pick of the litter from some of the finest goods to grace Skyrim's shores. He isn't exactly in the Guild, but he pays us a cut of all the stuff he lifts from the warehouse." If it hadn’t been confirmed before, then it certainly was now, the Thieves Guild had no idea what it was doing. Gulum-Ei should have acted as a direct broker with the funds being funneled into another Guild asset to have it cleaned. Something legal and consumable would have been best. Like mead, for example. At least that way they would been able to have actual figures on the money moving through Solitude.

“You’re worried Gulum-Ei will pull one over on me?” She let her gaze drift over to Delvin and Val’s table once more to find Val watching her. She tried to hide a small smile in the corner of her mouth. Godsdamn it, why was she smiling like an idiot over catching him looking at her?

“There are thieves and then there is Gulum-Ei. No honor, no code at all. He'd shake your hand and stab you in the back at the same time. The cut he's supposed to provide the Guild has dwindled as of late. He says pickings in the Warehouse are slim, but I'm certain he's lying. Keep your eyes on him, he's quite crafty.” Brynjolf followed her gaze and frowned. “You need to focus, Lass.” His voice was low, “The East Empire Company will kill you on sight.”

“Don’t worry Brynjolf. I haven’t been caught yet. That’s why you’re sending me right? And not you?” She smiled sweetly and Brynjolf’s expression darkened.

“Watch yourself, Lass.” He warned her.

“I thought you wanted to make me feel welcome.” She was being an asshole throwing his words back at him, he deserved it.

“Aye, and that offer remains on the table for you anytime.” He moved a little closer, just enough so that she could feel the heat from his body but not touching. “As long as you can remember who is in charge here.” She suddenly wasn’t sure they were talking about the same thing.

“And who would that be?” She was fighting a deep blush but decided to press a little further to see where he was going.  

“I’d certainly like to show you.” Brynjolf was practically purring. He definitely wasn’t talking about Mercer.

“I’m not really a one-night stand kind of girl.” She raised her hands in surrender.

“I could think of a few things to entertain us for more than just one night.” He was laying the charm on thick. If he hadn’t already shown her his true face, she might have even fallen for it.

“What a shame, it turns out I’m away on business for a while. Important things to do.” She turned quickly toward the Ragged Flagon and practically ran to Delvin and Val’s table, ignoring Byrnjolf’s deep chuckle that found her ears as she did so.

Brynjolf had successfully thrown her off balance again. She wasn’t even sure she could recall how to breathe properly. Aelyn quickly pulled out a chair facing away from the Cistern entrance and promptly sat down. Both Val and Delvin were looking at her with raised eyebrows. She knew her face was glowing red.

“What was that all about?” Delvin asked, looking from Aelyn toward where Brynjolf had been standing. Val took a deep drink from his tankard.

“He said he’d like to make me feel welcome and offered to ah… Show me who was in charge. I don’t think he meant Mercer.” Aelyn explained, Val choked on his drink, sputtering and coughing. Delvin started laughing loudly, as she tried to cover her face. “In other news,” She turned toward Val, who was catching his breath. “We’re headed back to Solitude. I need to write to Remi before we depart so I’ll be heading back to the Bee and Barb.”

“Wait, so you didn’t take him up on it?” Val was grinning, now that he could breathe again. Aelyn shot him a withering look.

“I have some self-respect, thank you. After what he did, he’s the last person I’d consider that type of arrangement with.” She crossed her arms over her chest with a huff. “Besides, you should be excited about this job. We’re breaking into the EETC warehouse.”

Chapter Text

The carriage driver had decided to stop for the evening at Dragon Bridge. Aelyn was eager to get to Solitude after learning that Remi would be there waiting for them at the Museum. She wanted to walk the rest of the way, but the light was fading. They had arrived at an awkward time, where there was too much time to do nothing and not enough time to make it all the way to Solitude before sunset.  

“Oh, come on, it’s not even that far.” Aelyn rolled her eyes.

“I’d prefer not to make the walk half in the dark. We’ve got what we need here, it’s just one more night.” Val shifted on his feet as they stood outside the Four Shields Tavern.

“Are you scared of the dark or something?” She teased.

“What if I was?” He wasn’t but he wanted to see what she would say.

“I’ll let you hold my hand so you’ll feel safe.” A smirk grew on her lips.

“Fine, fine. I guess the Winking Skeever will be better than this place. It’s crawling with Imperial soldiers, and they always have that smell…” He wrinkled his nose in distaste.

“We’re not staying at the Skeever.” Aelyn was grinning. “The guest house is finished. We’re staying at the museum. Auryen oversaw the project himself and let me tell you, he has taste.”

“Oh? Well, say less.” Val motioned for her to proceed. Aelyn was smiling. He wasn’t sure when the change in her started, but she was considerably less prickly lately. She was relaxing around him, and letting her guard down.

They had been walking for over an hour, Dragon Bridge was finally out of sight, and the road ahead leveled out somewhat, with a steep drop-off to one side. Val couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, however. He saw Aelyn pause ahead of him at the same moment the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. A split second later he was ducking an arrow flying at his head. They had been followed, a second arrow that followed whistled past him.

There was little to no cover for them to get behind, save a tree or two clinging to the side of the road for dear life as the soil beneath them eroded away. They would have to do. Val went to call for Aelyn to follow, but she was simply standing in the middle of the road staring up at the ridge above them. Pure panic shot through him as he tucked himself behind the tree, another arrow narrowly missing him. A flicker of something bright caught his eye as fire shot from Aelyn’s hands in an arc toward a spot on the ridge above them. A scream cut through the air as a burning body tumbled down the rock face landing with a sickening crunch.

“Handy hat trick eh?” Val pulled an arrow out of the tree behind him.

“We’re not done.” Aelyn nodded toward the road they had just come up, two figures stood dressed in what looked like shellbug and netch leather armor wearing masks. Things that were native to Morrowind. She didn’t have time to consider further as the two unknown assailants charged them, their weapons drawn.

The one on the left reached her first. She wanted to glance over to Val, but her opponent was so fast she didn’t dare. These were obviously very skilled fighters. She narrowly dodged his blade as she moved into his reach, grappling him. She gasped as his short sword sliced through her jacket. Her dagger was ready and aimed to cut into his throat, when he threw her off of him. Aelyn hit the ground hard, she rolled trying to get up only to find the masked attacker advancing on her. She gripped her dagger, as she struggled to find her footing, the man kicked it out of her hand as he pulled her up by her hair. He was about to drive his blade into her chest when Aelyn grabbed his wrist. They struggled for barely a second before he started to scream. She released her fire into his arm, and he dropped his sword, releasing his grip on her. She stumbled backward grabbing her dagger from where it had landed on the ground. He looked from his wrist to Aelyn before charging her once again. She was prepared this time, however, she rushed him and drove her blade into his chest. He gripped her arm for one, then two seconds before his hand fell limply to his side, she could hear his wet cough beneath his mask. Aelyn pulled her dagger free and slit his throat. She didn’t know this man but, she doubted he deserved a slow death drowning in his own blood.

She looked up to find Val cleaning off his blade, and she breathed a sigh of relief. She hurried over to him.

“Are you alright?” She felt a little out of breath as the adrenaline of the fight wore off.

“Let’s loot the bodies and see if they had anything on them.” Val toed the body at his feet with his boot.

Aelyn started with the man she’d not incinerated. She began rifling through his pockets. He had a small bag of gold on him and a vial of what she assumed was poison. There was a strange emblem stitched into the leather of this jerkin, in fine purple thread, just above the fold of the clasps holding the armor together. It looked somewhat like a spider. Just below it, poking out of the opening, she noticed the corner of a small piece of paper, folded up in his armor. She might have missed it if she hadn’t been inspecting the emblem stitched just above it. Aelyn pulled it out carefully and unfolded it.

                ‘Kill Serano and any companions. No bargains. No deals. No witnesses. – T.S.’

Aelyn turned the paper over as if it might have some more to tell her if she looked hard enough. She shouldn’t have felt surprised that the assassins had been after Val. He likely had quite the list of people who would want him dead.  

“Damn assassins. What did you find?” Val stood up from the body empty-handed and moved to stand next to her. He held out his hand for the piece of paper. Aelyn passed it to him. He paused, reading the note. “Morag Tong, he’s not messing around.”

“Any idea who would want to kill you?” Aelyn stood up dusting herself off.

“Any number of old business associates. But this is about what happened in Solitude before we met.” He sighed in frustration.

“When I was tracking you down, I found a note about the mutiny. It was also signed T.S.” Aelyn watched Val carefully, he seemed more deflated than anything. He wasn't sad or angry, just resigned.

“Yeah. That would be Tarek Serano, my father.”

“I’m sorry, what?” Had she heard him correctly? “Your father sent assassins after you?”

“I told you he was a pirate. But there’s more to it than that.” He blew out a breath, she could tell this wasn’t something he wanted to talk about. “The Dark Rose was originally my father’s ship.”

“I mean I sort of figured that, but I didn’t realize it wasn’t… uh, a peaceful transition.” She wiped cold sweat from her brow, she was still a bit worked up from the fight.

“I grew up sailing on her crew and rose through the ranks.” Val folded the paper and tucked it into his coat. “If you think being the captain’s son made it any easier, think again. When I was old enough and clever enough, I took the ship for my own.” He paused, and a conflicted look crossed his face. “I couldn’t kill him though.”

“So, Fathis had your father help him with the mutiny?” She wondered what their arrangement had been. She couldn’t imagine that Fathis would have actually believed that the previous captain would give up the Dark Rose again.

“I don’t know if Fathis actually missed him or just hated me more, but that fetcher could have never planned this by himself. My father was responsible for the mutiny.” They were both silent for a long moment. Aelyn opened her mouth to say something but Val spoke first, “Come on, we need to move the bodies.” He turned away from her.

Val started to drag one off to the edge of the road to throw them over the embankment. Aelyn gripped the armor on the other assassin, bracing to lift when a sharp pain cut through her side, she ignored it for a moment, dragging the man’s body over to the side of the road, and kicking him over the edge. The sharp pain persisted. She paused, pressing her hand to the spot, groaning when it came away red. The assassin didn’t miss after all.

“Hey, you’re bleeding.” Val pulled back her jacket where it had been cut.

“It’s fine, it’s not deep.” Aelyn inspected the wound. She tried not to wince as she bent down to rummage through her pack for a bandage.

“Are you sure? It looks… Angry. I think they might have poisoned their blades.” He watched her fumble trying to wrap the bandage around her midsection. “By Azura, you’re making a mess of that. Here.” He held out his hand for the bandage. Aelyn looked from him to his hand tentatively before handing the roll of bandages over to him. “Now, take your jacket off and pull up your shirt.”

She tried not to roll her eyes, and remind herself he was helping her. Aelyn obediently peeled her jacket off and rolled her shirt up enough for him to see the wound on her bare skin.  She tried to focus on something else as he frowned while inspecting the wound.  The soft citrusy scent she’d now come to associate with him found her as he knelt down to begin wrapping the bandage around her. Aelyn silently admonished herself, she was literally bleeding all over the place, and still, all she could think about was how good he smelled.  Val was all business, folding up a part of the bandage to act as a dressing, before rolling the bandage snugly around her torso. He’d clearly done this before.

“You seem to have a practiced hand at this.” She remarked trying to distract herself from how fast her heart was beating.

“I’ve had to do it a few times. Hey, how are you feeling, anything weird? Dizzy, achey, anything like that?” He stood up, grabbed her jacket, and helped her put it back on.

“No, a little tired. It’s been a long day.” She shrugged. He watched her closely for a moment. “Why?”

“Eh, probably nothing, just try not to bend and twist too much, you’ll mess up the bandage.” He frowned again, as she went to grab her bag. He snatched it from her. “I’ll carry that. What did I just tell you?” She looked at him confused for a moment before he added, “You can ask for help sometimes.”

“Sorry, I…” She wasn’t sure what to say to him, that she wasn’t used to that. It sounded like a lame excuse.

“Don’t apologize. Let’s just go, I’ll feel a little better once a healer looks at that.” He nodded toward her. He tried to assure himself that if she had been poisoned, they’d likely know already. She wasn’t feeling any of the normal symptoms, so that was good. Right?

They set out for Solitude, this time with a little quickness to their steps. Val led in front, setting the pace. The sun was setting quickly, and a chill in the air gave the breeze coming up from the coast a sharp bite to it. Still, Aelyn was sweating.

 As Solitude came into view, she began to fall behind. She was having trouble keeping up with Val’s long strides. Her breath was short, but she blamed it on the steady upward climb they had to reach the gates. She must have been panting, Val glanced back at her and stopped in his tracks. Her head felt strange like a thousand little needles were pricking her brain.

“Aelyn? Ah, damn it!” He rushed toward her as she wobbled on her feet. “Why didn’t you say something?!”

“I’m just tired.” Why did the words in her mouth suddenly feel strange?

“Stamina poison. I knew it, why didn’t I think of stamina poison?” Val cursed himself as he held her up. “I’m going to carry you alright?”

“I can walk, it’s not far. I just need to rest for a second.” She was almost soaked with sweat, her skin cool and clammy.

“Would you stop being stubborn for once? You’ve been poisoned, you’re not going to feel better after a rest.” Val hoisted her up into his arms, she didn’t resist. Her head lolled against his chest as he quickened his pace. “Hey, no sleeping. Talk to me.”  

“I’m sorry.” She mumbled, she felt weak, like even forming words was a monumental task.

“What do you even have to be sorry for?” He sounded angry.

“It’s my fault. If we had stayed in Dragon’s Bridge…” She sighed, it was getting a little difficult to breathe normally.

“They would have found me eventually. Don’t blame yourself for that.” Val sighed, she was pale, and her breath was short. They had to hurry. “Keep talking.”

“I’m sorry your dad’s an asshole.” That earned her a laugh from him.

“Of all the things you could talk about, this is what you pick?” He shook his head. He glanced down at her, to see her eyes closed. “Hey, no sleeping. What else you got?”

“Mmm, I’m just really tired.” Her words were starting to jumble together. “You smell good.”

“Oh? You like it?” His voice sounded far away.

She was at the end of her strength. Her eyelids wouldn’t open no matter how she willed them to. It was so easy to simply slip into a deep sleep, she was so tired. She felt a little bad, she didn’t want Val to have to carry her dead body to the temple. She wanted to stay awake, she could distantly hear someone calling her name. The urge to comfort them, and tell them it was alright was fleeting. The darkness was closing in on the edges of her mind. She was adrift again and had nothing left to fight with.

Chapter Text

                He sat with his head in his hands. He knew what stamina poison looked like, he should have been able to recognize it. She had been sweating and short of breath, why hadn’t he seen that? This was all his fault, if he’d recognized it sooner, if he’d put his foot down about not traveling in the dark, if he’d not been too weak to finish Tarek off the first time…

                The healers at the Temple of the Eight had said she would be fine after she’d pulled through the first few hours. He’d gotten her there just in time. Those first hours had been rough. She kept moving restlessly, drenched in sweat, making pathetic little noises in her throat like she wanted to call out but couldn’t. Until she stopped. They assured him she was just sleeping, but to be honest, it felt worse. She looked so still, her hands were like ice, and her breathing was so slow and even that he had to keep checking that her chest was rising.

                The first lights of dawn started to filter in through the stained-glass windows. His eyes fell closed, just for a moment. He could hear the rustling of something nearby. Probably another one of the priests checking on her. They’d healed her wound after she’d pulled through the worst of the effects from the poison. All she needed to do was wake up.

                “Water-” He didn’t recognize the voice at first, cracked and rasping. His eyes snapped open at the clatter of a cup hitting the floor.

                Aelyn was desperately reaching for the pitcher of whatever was sitting on the little table next to Val. Her throat burned with thirst, her tongue sticking uselessly to the roof of her mouth. Her arms felt like lead, she missed and knocked the cup on the table to the floor. Val who had been dozing in the chair beside her shot up like he’d be stung.

                “A… Little… Help…” She rasped. He kept telling her to ask for help right? It hurt to speak, to breathe, she felt like a fruit that had been dried in the sun for far too long.

                Val simply stared at her, until it seemed like something clicked in his brain. He grabbed the cup that had fallen to the floor and poured water from the pitcher on the table into it. Aelyn reached for it greedily, she didn’t dare fumble it, he tried to help her sit as she nearly dumped water all over herself trying to gulp from the cup as fast as she could. It hurt to swallow, it felt like broken glass was being forced down her throat with each drink. She didn’t care, it wasn’t enough, the cup was empty too soon, and she let it fall. She reached for the pitcher, nearly dropping it, trying to bring it to her lips.

                “Woah, slow down – you’ll-” Val started to try and pull the pitcher from her hands but the warning came too late. Her body rejected the sudden influx, she turned and spit up everything she’d just drank onto the stone floor. “Yeah, that.”

                She collapsed back onto the little cot they had set up for her the previous night. She felt so out of breath.

                “Where are we…” Her eyes fell shut, trying to block out the light.

                “Temple of the Eight in Solitude.” Val handed her another cup of water. “Slowly, this time.”

                “What happened?” She was trying to push herself up even with her arms shaking, heeding his warning and sipping slowly.

                “The blade was poisoned after all. I didn’t recognize it at first. I’m sorry.” He folded his hands in front of him, she should be mad right? She didn’t ask to get caught in the crossfire of his mistakes.

                “Sorry? For what?” She rubbed her eyes. She felt like garbage but it was getting better the more she moved around.

                “They were after me.” He said simply, she looked at him confused.

                “And? Like I was just going to let you take on three Morag Tong assassins by yourself? It’s not your fault-”

                “It is.” He didn’t even let her finish. Her brow furrowed, her head ached too much for this. “If it hadn’t been for me-”

                “Let me get this straight.” She stopped him, looking irritated. “You think it’s your fault that I got poisoned?”

                “It is my fault. I knew Tarek wasn’t going to let things lie-” He started in on himself again.

                “Val.” Aelyn said sharply. “It’s Tarek’s fault. Not yours. What kind of fucked logic are you using right now? A man sends assassins after his own son and somehow it’s your fault? What in oblivion is wrong with you?” He stared at her blankly.

                “I was weak, that’s why he sent them. If I hadn’t-” He didn’t get to finish.

                One of the priestesses had taken notice that Aelyn was awake and came rushing over. She sat on the side of the little cot and began looking her over.

                “How are you feeling?” The woman had a warm disposition, soft brown eyes, and freckles. Her hair was tucked up under her hood, and her blue robes marked her as a priestess of Kynereth. She reached for Aelyn’s wrist to take her pulse.

                “Like I’m dealing with the worst hangover on Nirn.” Aelyn tried to smile, but damn it everything seemed like it took effort. She’d barely been awake for ten minutes and she was already arguing with Val. Again.

                “Your pulse is a little faint and quick. We’ll send someone down to Angeline for a stamina potion. Sit tight. Try to stay still and keep your heart rate down.” The priestess smiled warmly and moved on.

                Aelyn leaned back and stared at the ceiling for a moment.

                “So, what are we going to do about your father?” She turned her head slightly to see his face. He wouldn’t look at her.

                “I’m going to stop dragging you into my problems for a start. I’ll take care of this; you don’t owe me anything.” Val blew out a breath, his mind was already working on how to approach the issue.

                “I’m sorry what?” She sounded angry. “Who said anything about owing anyone? You think I’m going to let you just run off and get killed?”

                “It’s not your problem.” Val crossed his arms over his chest.

                “You're not going to just ditch me now! What are you going to do Val? Run up to your father and his men and do what? End up just how I found you or worse? You’re smarter than that. Of all the asinine-” She was starting to breathe hard again.

                “Hey, calm down, you probably shouldn’t be getting so worked up.” He reached out to press her back down onto the cot.

                “You’re the one working me up! You’re taking me with you, I’m not letting you go alone.” She was digging in her heels, he looked at her like she was speaking in tongues. “At least that way if things get out of hand, I can just torch them all.”

                “Alright, fine. Fine. Just lay down will ya?” He sighed in relief when she relented, still cursing under her breath about him trying to leave her behind. “I carry you all the way to Solitude and this is how you wake up?” He muttered to himself.

                “Promise me.” She was glaring. “You’re not going without me.”

                “Aelyn.” He tried to coax her into backing off but she wasn’t about to let it go. If anything, it made matters worse.

                “Promise me.” She grabbed his hand. He looked into her eyes, she was resolved.

                “I promise.” Val deflated a little. He was sure if he tried to leave without her, she’d likely hunt him down. He couldn’t help but smirk at the thought. “You have my word, I won’t face him without you.” She nodded, finally relaxing. There was a stretch of silence between them.

                “You carried me all the way to Solitude?” Aelyn peeked over at him.

                “It wasn’t that far.” He grinned. “But I will say, for being so little you weigh a lot.” She laughed at that.

                “Good.” She continued to chuckle.

                “Thank you,” Val nearly whispered after a moment. “I know I can be an ass-”

                “Stubborn ass.” Aelyn quipped, and he shot her a look.

                “You don’t know what it means to me.” His eyes were suddenly softer.

                “You’re not alone, Val.” She looked down to see she was still holding his hand.

                She let his fingers slip from her grip, feeling somewhat better after he’d given his word that he wouldn't leave her behind. The thought had touched a wound long forgotten and deeply hidden. When was the last time anyone had been so close that she had feared losing them? It had nearly sent her into a panic.

                “So, what’s our next move?” She asked, he had been staring at his hand for a long moment but snapped to at her question. He thought for a moment before answering.

                “The first thing my father needs to do is score some quick loot to win the loyalty of the crew. No better place around here to offload goods than Broken Oar Grotto. We should check it out. There’s a good shot they’re still in the area.”

Chapter Text

The stamina potions were more than effective. Aelyn was on her feet again almost instantly, the priests seemed shocked by her recovery. The truth of it was, she was itching for a fight. Seeing how Val had naturally reacted to everything set her off, and now more than anything, she wanted to confront the man behind the mutiny. Val however seemed… Stiff.

“Are you alright?” Aelyn gave him a scrutinizing look as she picked up her blood-stained jacket.

“Huh? Yeah.” He seemed distracted by their surroundings.

“Does the temple make you uncomfortable?” Aelyn glanced around them, then back to Val who was suddenly looking at her strangely.

“I can’t hide much from you, can I?” He shook his head with a self-deprecating grin.

“Is there a lot that you’re hiding?” She arched her brow, evaluating his expression.

“Would you like to try and find out?” His grin turned into a smirk, and suddenly Aelyn was blaming her quickening heartbeat on left-over effects from the poison. She granted him a chuckle, and he let it go, continuing on. “The Dunmer faith isn’t well understood in Skyrim, and the people tend to have certain expectations of me since I’m a Nord.”

“You’re maybe one of the least Nordic Nords I’ve ever met.” Aelyn scoffed.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” He held the door of the temple open for her.

“It is, trust me.” She grinned as they made their way toward the museum.

“Do you follow any of the Divines?” He was fishing for something, she could tell.

“No, I’m not particularly religious,” Aelyn responded absently, actively ignoring the looks she was getting from the general inhabitants of Solitude. She was, after all, walking down the main street, covered in day-old blood and sweat.

“Really? Surprising.” He hummed in thought.

“What’s so surprising about it?” She knew she was going to regret asking but she couldn’t help herself.

“You said you grew up in a temple. I thought maybe-” He paused when she huffed out an irritated sigh.

“This again.” She muttered under her breath.

“You keep dodging it.” Val shrugged, “Which just makes me more curious.”

“It’s not a story for a day as nice as this.” Aelyn turned her face up toward the sun, near-death experiences had a way of making her appreciate life for its simple pleasures.

“And when I ask you on a stormy day, you’ll have another excuse, I’m sure.” Val matched her stride.

“Probably.” She grinned looking over at him, and he found himself grinning back at her. “So you mentioned the Dunmer Faith, I’m not familiar with it really.”

“Azura, Boethia, and Mephala I know well. My father worships in the New Temple faith and raised me the same.” He seemed much more relaxed after leaving the Temple.

“Aren’t… Aren’t those Daedra? The Vigilants of Stendarr must love you.” Aelyn shook her head.

“Aedra and Daedra are just two sides of the same coin. I was taught to view them with respect, not fear or reverence. The Daedra aren’t good or evil. They are the way they are because… They’re us. Or we’re them. Manifestations of the mortal psyche maybe.” Val paused when he noticed her staring at him. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Oh come on, you can’t be a handsome pirate and smart.” Aelyn kicked a stray stone in the street for effect. “That’s really not fair to the rest of us.”

“Relic hunter.” He corrected her, stifling a laugh.

“You’re the only one who says that” She challenged.

“If you can believe it, I spent more time delving into ancient ruins the past few years than committing actual piracy.” He followed her as she turned right, past the Bard’s College toward the museum entrance.

“I guess that’s why you were raiding the Museum shipments?” She mused as he nodded confirming her train of thought. “If you were looking for relics, that would be a smart move. Still piracy though. Hang on, I thought you dropped out of school?”

                “Uh, formal school yeah. There’s a lot of downtime on a ship and plenty of places to store books.” He seemed somewhat sheepish about his studies, and it struck Aelyn as odd.

When was Val ever sheepish about anything? From what she had experienced with him so far, there were generally two modes. He was either too easygoing to care or there was a lot of bravado followed up with either success or failure which was handled with equal parts swagger or irritation; generally leading to an argument between the two of them. She almost wanted to laugh, the idea of Val of all people feeling shy about anything seemed… Adorable. Adorable? Gods damn it, what was wrong with her? She banished the thought, assuring herself that it was just the post ‘life and death’ stakes getting to her. Everything seemed extra rosy when you woke up after thinking you were about to die.

She skipped up the steps to the museum, eager to get a quick bath and into clothes that weren’t cut up and covered in blood. They didn’t have a lot of time if they were going to find Tarek. The museum visit was a short stop before they went on to Broken Oar Grotto. Aelyn reasoned that Gulum-Ei wasn’t going anywhere, Goldenglow was sold months ago. They had just as much of a chance of catching him today as they did tomorrow or the next day. Tarek however, would be on the move, likely even faster once he realized the assassins had failed. He’d be next to impossible to track down once he left the area.

“So where is Auryen?” Val asked as they scouted out the empty office.

“Probably the library.” Aelyn stepped back into the hall and went to pull the large door that was adjacent to the office open.

“There’s a library?” He’d missed that the first time.

She grinned, for some reason she felt overly excited to show him this particular place. Maybe she hoped he’d appreciate it for what it was. Months of work, tracking down ancient texts and building the collection of rare tomes worthy of any academy’s envy.

She opened the door to a large open room. The library had three floors, open to a central study area in the middle. Large stained-glass windows filtered in light, creating a mosaic of colors on the polished wood floors. A large stone staircase sat central to the entrance and led up to a great fireplace, crackling warmly creating a calming ambiance. There were plenty of little places to sit and read undisturbed throughout the room, on every level. However, what attracted Val’s attention most, was the small gated door just to the right of the stairs. A plaque above it read ‘Restricted Access’.  

“This is… impressive.” He took it in, his eyes unfailingly wandering toward a gated room. Aelyn’s chest swelled with pride.

“I think it’s my favorite place in the museum. Well… Maybe.” The corners of her mouth seemed to have a natural upward turn in this place. Val watched her move through the area, feeling like he was getting a secret look at the person she kept hidden underneath, away from everyone else.

“So, you help collect all the museum displays?” Val took a leisurely turn about the lower level.

“Yes. Some items are more… Delicate than others. So they aren’t on public display. When we have time I’ll show you, since you’re my partner now.” She paused before the gated room. “I know you want to see this place.” She nodded toward it.

“Ah, well, I didn’t want to come off overly eager,” Val smirked, nothing got past her these days.

“This is my greatest contribution to the library. Auryen collects most of the books out here without my help. If I find something I’ll usually bring it along but these…” She nodded toward the gated door. “These… These are another story.” She produced a key and unlocked the gate, it opened with a loud creak. Immediately a voice sounded from inside.

“Remi?” Auryen called. “You’d better be returning the tome on tonal architecture. I will not stand for it jostling around inside your pack! These manuscripts are delicate!”

“Auryen?” Aelyn poked her head inside. The Altmer was bent over the workstation in the corner, fully immersed in restoring a binding to ‘Laminal Bridges’. He stood up, nearly knocking his head into the lamp hanging over the desk. He turned, looking uncharacteristically comical with his focusing lenses perched on his nose.

“Aelyn? You’re back!” He smiled broadly. “Pirate captain in tow I see.”

“It’s just a quick stop, we have some business to take care of.” Aelyn stepped into the room. “Remi wrote to me and said the guest house was finished. I was hoping to-”

“Oh my.” He looked her over. “What in the world got you into this state?”

“We ran into some trouble on the road in. I was hoping for a change of clothes…” She felt herself flush with embarrassment.

“Ah yes, yes… I left your copy of the key in the office, your things were moved from the employee's quarters last week. Let me get it.” Auryen set down his glasses and swept out of the room. He seemed to always move with such purpose to his steps that one couldn’t help but follow his movements.

“Is this the Dreamstide?” Val’s voice sounded from behind Aelyn. She turned to see him looking closely at the ethereal tome, a depiction of the Vaermina, the Daedric Prince of Nightmares, seemed to shift with otherworldly life on the cover.

“It is.” Aelyn stood perfectly still, wondering how he was going to take the information. She wanted to believe he’d see it for what it was, but the ever-present sliver of doubt in her mind made her wait and watch and observe before acting.

“How did you get this?” He was in awe of it. Aelyn blew out a breath of relief.

“Well, it’s sort of a long story. There were these priests trapped in the Quagmire by a noxious gas called The Miasma. Vaermina was feeding on their nightmares and it began to expand to local residents, so a friend of mine and I went in to disperse the Miasma. I had to find the book so we could make a potion called ‘Vaermina’s Torpor’.” Aelyn paused, she was rambling but she’d never seen Val so focused before. He was listening to her so intently that she felt herself starting to blush. “Ah, well – I had to um, drink it.”

“Where did the gas come from? What did the potion do?” He suddenly had an intensity to him that was almost off-putting. He moved closer to her as if he could somehow absorb more of the story that way.

“Turns out the priests were followers of Vaermina, talented alchemists. They created the Miasma as a means of self-defense while being raided by a band of Orcs. The Miasma preserves everyone in its midst perfectly, except -they go mad from being trapped in the Quagmire.” She took a deep breath, suddenly unable to make eye contact with him. “I had to drink the Torpor to enter a state known as the Dreamstride. It allows one to physically traverse another’s dream and be transported across distances in our realm while doing so. The release for the Miasma was locked in an unreachable part of the temple and-”

“Here it is,” Auryen announced as he entered the vault, stopping short with raised brows upon seeing Aelyn and Val almost pressed together. “Am I interrupting something?”

“No!” Aelyn jumped and turned away. “I was just telling Val about The Dreamstride.” At that, Auryen grinned widely.

“Ah yes, one of our more dangerous artifacts. Aelyn has quite a talent for stumbling upon these things… It’s almost uncanny.” Auryen pressed the key to the apartment into her hands, and she gave him a bashful smile.

“You don’t say.” Val had a strange look in his eyes suddenly, and Aelyn could almost hear the wheels turning in his mind.

“Oh absolutely, we have quite a collection of interesting and rare finds thanks to her. I believe most recently-” Auryen paused at a look from Aelyn, “Oh you did say you were short on time. Remiel is likely up there at the moment in the workshop.” Aelyn nodded, practically having to drag Val out of the room.

The ‘Guest House’ was accessed by a winding stone stair tucked into an alcove off of the Museum office. The door was unassuming and gave no indication of what lay beyond it. Val was giving Aelyn a skeptical look as she unlocked the door, which changed immediately to open appreciation as she opened it. A large open living area with tall windows that let an abundance of natural light and a central stone fireplace, greeted them.

“This is quite the place, you weren’t kidding.” He reached out to touch the velvet drapes appreciatively glancing up at the chandelier that hung in the center of the room.

“Auryen is from Alinor, he’s got a certain standard of living. He ‘modestly’ refurbished the place in the style of his homeland.” Aelyn crossed the room to a door on the far side. The door burst open before she had a chance to reach for the handle. Aelyn found herself tackled to the ground by an overly excited Breton. “Hello Remi-” She managed to squeak out.

“Where have you been?!” She demanded. “You send me what? Two letters in more than a month?! You went to Riften and just fell off the face of Nirn! Do you know how worried I was?”

“I’m sorry, it’s been hectic.” Aelyn pushed herself to her feet.

“Did you at least sell that gem?” Remiel pushed her glasses up, one hand on her hip.

“It’s a Stone of Barenziah, part of a set of twenty-four. They’re pretty much worthless on their own.” She sounded deflated, it was unpleasant recalling how Brynjolf had duped her into joining the Thieves Guild. “Long story short, I’m now a member of the Thieves Guild.” Remi stared at her for a moment.

“So you left me in Markarth to go become a criminal?” She sounded offended.

“Remi.” Aelyn crossed her arms over her chest, leveling a look at her friend.

“You’re always leaving me to do the fun things.” Perhaps Aelyn overindulged the little sister angle with her too much.

“Are you pouting?” Aelyn sighed.

“Yes!” Remi looked like she was about to stomp her foot but didn’t.

“I hate to break this up…” Val interjected looking mildly confused by the interaction.

“Right, time crunch.” Aelyn nodded turning to Remi, “We’ve got a bit of a situation to handle, and then we’ll be back. I’ll catch you up after.”

“You’re just running off without me again?” This time she sounded genuinely upset.

“Nothing fun, just probably stabbing people.” Aelyn started up the stairs to the second level of the apartment.

“That still sounds fun!” Remi called after her.

She tried to clean up as fast as she could, knowing it was almost midday and they still had to hike out to Broken Oar Grotto. It was a shame she didn’t have the time to appreciate her finished room in the apartment. Everything was polished rosewood, the four-poster bed, the large writing desk, the exquisitely carved armoire in the corner, and even the mantle over the stone fireplace. Aelyn drew back the curtains on the bed, revealing deep red silk sheets that she let her fingers slide over appreciatively before moving to the far end of the room and opening the door to the closet. She wasn’t sure what she could fill it with, the closet alone was the size of her room in Markarth.

She found her old leather jerkin hanging in the closet as if it were some fine raiment. It was sure to make Val cringe, it would do though. The soft tan leather was familiar, the patches she had sewn in herself from numerous close calls over the years told a story to her. She smiled before heading to the bath attached to her suite.

It was her own private spa. The bath was set into the floor, and tiled with a rose mosaic. All of the fixtures were polished bronze. The cupboards and side tables were the same lovely rosewood that the rest of her quarters had been outfitted with. A domed skylight allowed the room to be bathed in golden sunlight. She bemoaned the fact that she had to wait to really enjoy it, heading to the shower in the far corner to clean up quickly.  She’d come a long way from the gutters of the imperial city to what she was sure were the finest accommodations in Skyrim. She only hoped this era of peace in her life would last.

Aelyn tied her hair up as she rushed down the stairs, finding the living area empty. No, Val. No Remi. She peered around suspiciously, listening, hearing a small tinkering noise coming from the workshop. She poked her head through the door to find Remi tweaking something on Val’s crossbow as he watched her closely. As if sensing her presence, he turned to see her standing in the doorway. He was halfway to a smile until he saw her outfit and visibly flinched. Aelyn started to laugh, making Remi look up from her work.

“Ready to go?” Aelyn asked now peering over Remi’s shoulder.

“Give me just a moment, I’m just tightening the mechanism up a little…” Remi mumbled as both Aelyn and Val watched her work. “Annnd that should do it.”

“Huh, you really are handy at this. I’ll let you know how that affects the action.” Val picked up the crossbow, examining the trigger mechanism.

“It should give it a sharper firing, when you have more time, I’d like to try adding some of the other modifications we discussed.” Val nodded turning to Aelyn.

“You’re ready?” Val had a determined look in his eyes.

“For whatever awaits us.” Aelyn nodded, grinning.

They didn’t hike out to Broken Oar Grotto as Aelyn had thought they would. Instead, Val secured a small boat, with money, assuring her it would be faster. They kept close to the shoreline, the water turning slightly rougher out past the Solitude lighthouse. The small boat wasn’t made for open water but was practical for what they needed it for. It wasn’t long before Val spotted the familiar red sails of the Dark Rose.

“Is that it?” Aelyn asked, shielding her eyes from the sun as the ship came into view.

“That’s her all right.” He fixed his gaze on the ship in the distance.

“Are you okay?” Aelyn watched his normal easygoing demeanor turn dark.

“I will be once we’ve settled this.” He brought the boat ashore a sandbar between Broken Oar Grotto and the Dark Rose.

There was a small group of sailors moving goods from a dinghy onto the shore. Aelyn wondered what Val’s plan actually was, if they were going to sneak up on the outfit, or if he had some twist planned. She was rather shocked when he brazenly walked up to the crew. A few of the members paused, obviously recognizing him, and for the first time, it seemed to settle into Aelyn that Val really had been a pirate captain. One of the sailors called out and rather handsome-looking Dunmer turned to face them. Aelyn nearly gasped, it was like looking at Val if he had been a Dunmer, the eyes were all wrong but the face was… Eerie. There was absolutely no doubt in her mind who was approaching them. Tarek.

“I see you’re not dead yet. Well done.” He didn’t even sound surprised.

“Sending assassins was just rude. I thought you were retired.” Val eyed the six other crew members as they began to circle them. Aelyn felt her heart speed up, what if he had really come alone? Gods, they were badly outnumbered, Val would have never made it out of this situation alive.

“You don’t visit, you don’t write…. How else is an old man supposed to see his son?” Tarek was joking. He was actually making jokes about trying to murder his own son. Aelyn felt her blood begin to heat up.

“Having me thrown in prison and taking my ship is your idea of a family reunion?” Val didn’t even seem phased like none of this was anything other than an average Morndas for him.

“You had a good run boy, but the Dark Rose will always be mine.” Tarek was finally beginning to show his teeth, over the Dark Rose.

“I took her from you once, I can take her again. And you won't have my treacherous first mate in your pocket either. What did you promise him?” There, finally, was the anger he had been harboring, lurking under the surface.

“Oh, Fathis always hated you. For years…” Tarek had a little chuckle over Val’s anger, “The Captain's son, standing in his way. He imagined that I went easy on you.” He laughed again, at Val’s expense. Aelyn gripped her dagger, the metal beginning to heat in her hand. “But you were the smart one, and better at this life until you went soft. Good thing you took care of him though, I wasn’t sure you still had it in ya. Can’t trust a man who’ll betray his best friend. It was only a matter of time before he’d have betrayed me as well. I did you a favor.“

“A favor?! You left me to die! It’s time for me to return your favor.” Val snarled, every bit the cutthroat pirate once more, everyone tensed. His presence commanded more notice in that one moment that Tarek had throughout the entire conversation.

“Then I’ll see you in Oblivion.” Even as Tarek’s hackles raised, Aelyn could feel how pathetic the threat was in the face of Val’s commanding presence. Hollowness was something that permeated one’s whole being, and Tarek, was as empty as they came. He was nothing, and suddenly Val’s words made sense to her. People like him only had the power you gave them.  

“Tell them who sent you.” Val drew his blade on his own flesh and blood and Aelyn was ready to unleash the fires of Oblivion to let him do it.

Chapter Text

The female archer was quicker than Aelyn had anticipated, good thing her aim seemed to be off. Tarek and Val launched themselves at each other, leaving her to play defense with five bloodthirsty pirates.

The archer was cinders before she could even knock her next arrow. It wasn’t quite fast enough though, as Aelyn narrowly dodged the swing of a Warhammer at her head. Panic was pumping through her veins, they’d just recklessly walked up, with no plan, and now… She was determined that both she and Val were going to walk off that little island even if she had to turn the sand to glass to do it.

An Argonian came up behind Val as he tangled with his father, his clothes ignited before he reached them, though Aelyn didn’t have the opportunity to reduce him to ash as the Redguard with the warhammer grabbed her ponytail and yanked her back with a humorless laugh. She heard the Argonian screaming in panic as she sank her dagger into the Redguard’s thigh. He toppled backward, and Aelyn climbed atop him, thrusting her blade into his chest. His breath turned wet, his lungs swelching before Aelyn decided to make sure he didn’t get back up and slashed his throat. The warm crimson of his blood covered her hands, making the grip on her dagger slick.

Her head snapped up hearing a shout from Val, one of the other crew members had struck him in the leg with… Ice. A fucking mage, perfect. Aelyn went to sprint toward him, intent on burning him to a crisp when something hot caught her in the arm. No, no hot… Sharp. She’d missed the blonde Nord charging her in her haste to get to Val and his blade had nicked her in the arm.

Aelyn rounded on him, the violent connection of steel on steel made her teeth grind at the screeching noise the two blades made as they scraped against one another. Her dagger the only thing keeping his sword at bay, she had to be fast, he was quickly overpowering her.  She reached out and grasped his jacket, pulling him violently toward her, his clothes igniting. The Nord shouted in surprise, and she seized her opportunity. The sound of his surprise was cut short as Aelyn shoved her blade into his neck, arterial spray covering the front of her as she did so. Gods, she felt so out of breath, cold was beginning to seep into her joints, slowing her down. She really needed to get used to using her magic again. It hadn't been this fragile before. 

The mage, Aelyn reminded herself, she had to take out the mage. Val was forced back against a rock, his blade screeching against Tarek’s. She spotted the Dunmer mage, readying another blast of ice for Val that would surely spell his end. Aelyn threw herself on him, the mage shouting something unintelligible as she did so, she released too much power into him in her panic as he burst into flames. Her vision blurred, not good. Not good at all. Willing herself to focus, Aelyn struggled to her feet. 

Tarek was laughing, as he growled. Their blades were in a stalemate, but Val was slowly slipping. His back leg wasn't supporting the way it needed to for him to push Tarek back and regain the upper hand.

“Pathetic. What have you learned, boy? Nothing.” Tarek pressed harder, aiming a well-timed blow with his foot to Val’s injured leg. He buckled, the edge of Tarek’s sword inching closer to his throat. “You can’t do it, can’t bring yourself to kill your old man – “ Tarek paused mid-sentence, a look of surprise on his face, he barked out a short laugh. Blood erupted from his mouth, splattering Val. They both were confused until Val’s eyes drifted down to the point of a blade protruding from Tarek’s chest.

“Maybe he can’t, but I sure can.” Aelyn snarled in Tarek’s ear as she ripped her dagger free from his back. Tarek stumbled backward into her, knocking them both to the ground.  

“Aelyn?” Val stood up, a slight limp to his step.

“I’ll handle this.” Her eyes had a sharpness to them he didn’t recognize. “Make sure the rest stay down.” Val nodded, unsure how to deal with this facet of her. She’d never really shown him the side of her that housed cold fury like that before. As Val walked away, she kicked Tarek off of her and he rolled to his back. He coughed, more blood expelling from his lips.

“It’s over Tarek.” She was out of breath, trying not to let her teeth chatter as Tarek tried to contain a chuckle. Why was everything so hilarious to this asshole?

“I certainly underestimated you.” He tried to sit up and failed.

“I get that a lot.” Aelyn stuck her dagger, blade down in the sand. “But really, you underestimated your son.”

“What nonsense has the boy been putting in your head, eh? This world destroys the weak. We’re meant to be tested. I made him what he is.” Tarek seemed to actually have some sort of conviction over this point.

“That boy is the man who captained the Dark Rose for over ten years after he ousted you.” Aelyn sighed, the adrenaline rush of the fight starting to wear off. “I don’t know what’s worse, your massive ego or that you actually believe yourself.”

“Oh, I’ll die of boredom from your attempts at wit before my wounds.” Tarek rolled his eyes at her and it was Aelyn’s turn to chuckle.

“You tried to have him killed.” Her sardonic laugh was replaced with judgment.

“How else was I supposed to teach him anything? I knew I was sending Fathis to his death. Never forget that about your friend. Now, let’s get this over with.” He seemed to try and ready himself, steeling his expression, waiting for his own end.

“The only one responsible for Fathis’s death is you, Tarek.” Aelyn stood up, pulling her dagger out of the sand.

“Was I the one who ran ‘im through? No, that was the boy’s doin’.” Tarek coughed again and Aelyn was taken back to the moment when she had found Fathis, bleeding out on the side of the road, slowly drowning in his own blood.

“I’m thinking maybe you need a taste of your own medicine, Tarek.” She nearly spat his name, a coldness in her voice that didn’t fit her. “It took Fathis over a day to die of his wounds. Did you know that? Your men left him in a ditch, he was still alive when I found him. I think you should know how that feels.” Aelyn sheathed her dagger and Tarek started to laugh, once again choking and coughing as he did do.

“I think I like you.” He grinned.

“I’m insulted.” She turned from him.

“You’ll come to regret this though.” He wheezed as she walked away from him.

“I doubt it.” She didn’t look back.  

Aelyn found Val on the other side of the sandbar, where they had grounded the boat. He was crouched down by the water, washing the blood off his hands. He glanced over his shoulder at the sound of her approach.

“Are you alright?” He asked not really looking at her.

“Yeah.” She pinched the bridge of her nose, her head aching, her limbs shaking from a persevering cold in her bones.

“So it’s done then.” He stood up to face her.

"Are you..." She wanted to know how he was feeling but his expression was like stone, and it took her a minute to decide if she could even ask the question. Did she even have any right to ask? "Are you okay?" They were both silent a moment before he began to speak.

“I’ve been trying to please him my whole damn life. I used to think if I could just show him I was good enough that he’d care. I lived for those moments when he’d approve of me when he’d accept me." His words sounded volatile but his expression was still neutral. It was making her nervous in a way, being unable to read him. 

“It’s natural to want a parent’s love.” She could practically feel his anger and frustration as it rolled off of him in waves, she placed a hand on his arm, trying to let him know in some small way he wasn't alone. She missed her parents even to the day, and they had been gone longer than she'd even known them. It didn't stop her from longing for that safety and comfort though. Even after everything that had led to their deaths. 

“Yeah, well, he never really loved me. He just liked that I made him look good.” He folded his arms over his chest and looked out over the waves at the Dark Rose. “I was so angry. It was supposed to be easier that way. Everything was supposed to be different when I became Captain. Instead, it just made me miserable.”

“It wasn’t everything you’d always wanted?” Aelyn watched as Val shook his head at her words. He clearly loved the sea, that wasn't even a question, so she found it surprising to hear he'd been miserable. Then again, she'd never had so many people depending on her as he must have had. Aelyn had led a largely solitary life, she could only imagine what type of person he'd had to be to run a ship the size of the Dark Rose. 

“I read too many stories as a kid.” He said with a scoff, “The reality is, you can’t be some kind of swashbuckling hero and run a crew of corsairs and cutthroats. I did a lot of things in those days that I wouldn’t do today. Things I regret, I’m done with it all.”

“You’re walking away?” Aelyn couldn't cleanse the shock out of her tone completely. It had been on her mind. Maybe it had been why she was so adamant to face Tarek with him. She felt a sharp fragment of fear, now that Tarek had been dealt with, that there was nothing standing between Val and reclaiming the Dark Rose, and suddenly she understood, she didn't want him to leave. Not because she needed him for a job, or because there was some sort of debt between them, or for any reason other than... She'd miss him if he was gone. The realization shocked her, maybe even scared her a little.  

“The Dark Rose will be alright.” He had a wistful smile on his face as he turned toward her, “I’m not sure what’s next for me, but it’s not going to be on board that ship.” He paused, reaching out and taking her hand in his. “Sticking with you is the first good decision I’ve made in a long time. I’m glad you’re in my life.” Aelyn looked him in the eyes and saw the sincerity there, and her heart started to beat a little faster.

"Surely not the first good decision." Aelyn tried to divert the intensity of what he'd said but found herself looking at the sand on her boot instead. “Me too.” She said it so quietly that the crash of the waves on the shore nearly drowned out her words.

Relief washed through her. He was staying. She couldn’t help it any longer, she tore her hand from his and threw her arms around him. Val froze in place for a moment, it took a second for it to register that she was hugging him. A small smile turned up the corners of his mouth as he gently pulled her closer to him, wrapping her in his arms in return. An idea began to take root. Perhaps, it took a certain kind of strength to care for others. She’d stood with him, feared for him, and finished the things he’d been unable to. She’d shown him care and kindness and of all the ways he would describe her, weak was not among them.

Chapter Text

                The damn Argonian was pissing her off. Aelyn had an itch to smack the scales off of his face when he sat there, smugly inspecting the case of Firebrand Wine she had stolen from the Blue Palace at his behest.

                “Here, take this. I suppose I need to pay you something for the goods." Gulum-Ei tossed a bag of coins to Aelyn and she caught it with a frown.

                “You're trying to bribe me now?” Damn it, she just needed the bastard to tell her who bought Goldenglow.

                "Not at all. I consider it an investment in prolonging my life. As far as Goldenglow Estate goes, I'll tell you what I know." The smarmy look on his face told her he was not about to tell her what he knew. "I was approached by a woman who wanted me to act as the broker for something big. She flashed a bag of gold in my face and said all I had to do was pay Aringoth for the estate. I brought him the coin and walked away with her copy of the deed."

“Did she say why she was doing this?” Aelyn folded her arms over her chest.

                "Not at all. I tend not to ask too many questions when I'm on the job.” For being a thief, the Argonian was a terrible liar. Or maybe he just didn’t care about whether she knew he was lying or not. “I'm sure you understand. However, I did notice she was quite angry and it was being directed at Mercer Frey."

                “That's it? No name or anything?” If he would just be upfront with the name she could be on her way, it was clear at this point, that wasn’t going to happen.

                "In this business, we rarely deal in names; our identity comes from how much coin we carry." Gulum-Ei leaned back in his chair without a worry in the world.

                “I think you're lying to me.” Aelyn was going to have to tail the bastard.

                "Look, that's all I know. I never promised you I'd have all the answers.” He shrugged standing and brushing past her. “Now, since our transaction is done, I'll be on my way."

                Aelyn glanced across the tavern to Val and nodded. She waited patiently as Gulum-Ei left the Winking Skeever. Val made his way over to her, they left a few moments after Gulum-Ei to give him a head start.

                “So, he wasn’t very forthcoming,” Val glanced over at her as they followed Gulum-Ei out of the main gate.

                “Not yet.” She muttered watching the bastard leisurely wander down toward the docks, his scaly tail swishing this way and that. “What is you said once? You knew better but hoped differently?” Aelyn sighed, she had hoped this would be an easy excursion to Solitude. Val chuckled beside her before pulling her abruptly off the main street. “What are you-“

                Gulum-Ei had stopped, he was making conversation with a customs official. Aelyn observed, half hidden by Val in the shadowed space between two buildings. There was barely enough room for one person, so she wouldn’t have called it an alley. Val had to stand sideways, using his arm to block most of her, she was pressed right against him as she peeked over his arm to watch Gulum-Ei. He pressed a small bag of coins into the grumpy-looking official’s hand. The official looked upset, she heard something about ‘broad daylight’ and assumed that he was upset that Gulum-Ei was conducting whatever deal they had going right in the middle of the street. As Gulum-Ei turned to leave, Aelyn waited so they didn’t follow too closely before sliding out past Val who smirked as he trailed behind her.

                “You know, I’ve been thinking.” He began, earning a sidelong glance from Aelyn.

                “That’s concerning.” She muttered, stopping briefly behind a corner as Gulum-Ei turned toward the open stairs, leading down to the docks.

                “It might be faster to get money by doing jobs for Auryen than chasing after the Guild.” He continued like she hadn’t said anything, “I think once you’re clear, we should focus on the museum. It seems like the pay would be better.” She nodded in agreement.

                “I hear you.” She stepped out in the crowd of people once more, satisfied that Gulum-Ei wouldn’t be able to pick them out. “It’s a little more planning and research but, a better payout. You’re right. Got any ideas lined up for artifacts the museum might be interested in?” She caught a wide grin on his face as he abruptly turned away.

                “I have a few. We can talk about it after we get the dirt on the Argonian.” He nodded ahead of them, looking casually away from the main entrance to the East Empire Company Warehouse. Aelyn sighed. He had waltzed right into the front entrance. This was going to take a little more work.

                “Since you seem to be so full of ideas today, got any on how to get into the EETC Warehouse?” She frowned, they would either need to find another way in or forge papers as an EETC official. She glanced to Val who looked like he’d been waiting for her to ask.

                “Just so happens, I do.” He started back up the steps to the main walkway over the harbor.

                Aelyn followed closely behind Val, the docks district was always crowded and noisy. They pushed through throngs of merchants, workers moving cargo, and Solitude officials, minding the pickpockets looking for an easy mark along the way. She stuck close, in step with him, just behind, glancing up at his back occasionally.

                If she was being honest with herself, she’d been a little worried about him. He hadn’t said anything since they returned from the altercation with Tarek about any of the events that had transpired there. Aelyn was trying to take cues from him on how she should even unpack that situation but he was giving her nothing. She’d stabbed his father, right in front of him, and they’d said next to nothing about it to each other. They’d said nothing about Fathis either. It was clear to her that Tarek had been responsible for Fathis’s death, and she hoped Val also knew that. He had told her once that Fathis had been his best friend. She knew all of it had to be eating at him, it was eating at her and she was tertiary to situation at best.  

                Soon Aelyn began to recognize the direction they were heading. Val led them past the lower docks district, out toward the wilderness, leaving the main road behind. She didn’t say anything but the path they were following looked familiar to her. She could see the Solitude lighthouse on the shoreline as they followed a little dirt path through the forest, to a small inlet, with a broken dock.

                “You’re shitting me.” Aelyn stopped at the dock, the same dock where Val had convinced her to jump into the water to retrieve the Star of Solitude. She heard Val try to stifle a small laugh as he paused looking at her.

                “This place is used pretty often to move goods from the EETC Warehouse to… Solicited buyers.” He nodded toward a crag in the rock. She hadn’t noticed it the first time they’d been there, but a well-beaten trail led right up to the space between the rocks. “That right there is Brinewater Grotto. We can sneak in through there and I have a feeling we’ll find your Argonian friend rather swiftly.”

                Aelyn took the lead, peering into the dark of the passage before them. She glanced back to Val before stepping into the darkness. Her eyes adjusted to the dim lighting, sunlight filtering in through a small cave in on one side of the grotto, on the other, she could see where the path ended in a solid rock face. Aelyn recognized it immediately as a hidden door, much like the one they used in the Ragged Flagon to hide the Thieves Guild entrance. She felt around the depressions in the rock, looking for the mechanism that released the door. She found purchase in a small hand-sized hold, the slab of rock giving slightly as she pulled. Val, seeing she had found a way to get the door open, moved beside her to help heave the door to the side until it clicked, and suddenly, shifted on its own. They stepped back, light from torches flooding the entrance they had just revealed. They crouched down in the shadows, listening.

                Aelyn risked a glance into the cavern that had been revealed, to see a seedy-looking man chatting idly with none other than Gulum-Ei. She glanced back at Val wondering if he had some sort of clairvoyance for crime when he nodded toward the cave.

                “Looks like your guy has been holding out on the Guild. Big time.” Val murmured, she followed his gaze, realizing the cave was stacked with makeshift scaffolds and shelves of stolen goods. Indeed, Gulum-Ei had some explaining to do.

                “I think it’s time I made a statement.” Aelyn pulled out her dagger.

                She took a quick stock of the room beyond, noting only one other person present besides Gulum-Ei. She stood up and strolled right into the cavern, twirling the dagger in her hand. The two didn’t even notice her presence until she was nearly right next to them. Gulum-Ei jumped in shock and the man beside him immediately went for his blade.

                “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Aelyn smiled at the man. He paused.

                “You.” Gulum-Ei seethed. “What do you want?”

                “You know exactly what I want.” Aelyn turned to face him fully, noticing Val positioning himself as a backup just out of sight.

                “I already told you-” Gulum-Ei began, the man beside him shot forward, his sword drawn.

                Aelyn side-stepped him easily and with a fluidity of movement that would have made a master swordsman envious, she gripped the back of his shirt, knocking him off balance with a well-placed kick to his ankle. The man fell backward in her grip and she neatly slit his throat, all without breaking eye contact with Gulum-Ei who suddenly looked like he realized what sort of situation he was actually in.

                “Wait, wait! Now, there's no need to do anything rash...” He threw up his hands, backing away for her slowly. “This isn't as bad as it seems. I was going to tell Mercer about everything, honestly! Please... he'll have me killed!" Aelyn paused, watching him carefully, he was terrified.

                “Tell me first, and then I'll decide.” She proceeded to shake the blood off her dagger, waiting for Gulum-Ei to continue with an arched brow.

                "All right, all right. It's Karliah... her name is Karliah." The Argonian looked over his shoulder as if just saying the name would summon this Kaliah.

                “You say that name like I should know it.” She started to pace closer to Gulum-Ei, sheathing her blade. He visibly relaxed.

                "Mercer never told you about her?” Gulum-Ei seemed genuinely shocked that Aelyn didn’t know the name immediately. “Karliah was the thief responsible for murdering the previous Guild Master, Gallus. Now she's after Mercer."

                “And you're helping her?” Her brow furrowed.

                "Help... ? No, no!” He shook his head adamantly, “Look I didn't even know it was her until after she contacted me. Please, you have to believe me!"

                “Where is Karliah now?” Finally, she had a name, Aelyn needed to track the woman down. It seemed she’d still need to use the Guild to do it though. Aelyn only hoped she’d be able to get this Karliah on her side before things got out of hand.

                "I don't know. When I asked her where she was going she just muttered ‘Where the end began.’ Here, take the Goldenglow Estate Deed as proof.” He handed the document over to her without even the smallest bit of reservation, like he was glad to be rid of it. “And when you speak to Mercer, tell him I'm worth more to him alive. Karliah didn't even want it, she wanted to keep the sale a secret. I can see how well that went." Aelyn thought for a moment, running her finger along the seam of the raised notary seal.

                “I'll keep quiet about your scam, but you owe me.” She said slowly and suddenly, Gulum-Ei was smiling.

                "Now you're speaking my language.” He grinned, “Tell you what. If you need any stolen goods fenced, you bring them to me and I'll pay you good money for them. Consider me your new friend in the north."

                “Pleasure doing business with you.” Aelyn held out her hand, and Gulum-Ei gladly shook it. “Do you know why Karliah purchased Goldenglow Estate?”

                "I asked her the same thing and she wouldn't come out and tell me. But now that I know who she is, I'd say she's trying to hit the Thieves Guild where it hurts." Gulum-Ei crossed his arms over his chest thinking on her question.

                "Maven Black-Briar needs Goldenglow's honey for her mead. She's been using the Guild to keep the Estate under her thumb. If the owner cuts the Guild out of the picture, he's cutting Maven out of the picture... which she can't afford.” Gulum-Ei nodded as he continued, “If I was Maven, I'd blame the Guild for weakening and not being able to handle the place."

                “Which makes Maven lose faith in the Guild,” Aelyn concluded.

                "Exactly. For the Guild to survive, they need Maven's support. Karliah must have spent a lot of time and resources planning this." Gulum-Ei shrugged, it wasn’t his problem anymore.

                The sun had long since set by the time they returned to the Museum. Auryen and Remiel were in the apartment workshop when they returned. They were deep in conversation about Aetherium and the implications of tonal reactivity. Aelyn decided to leave them to it. She’d made up her mind about trying to talk to Val before they headed back to Riften. She had a feeling, things would be in a freefall once they returned to the Guild and she might not get another chance to talk to him about what had transpired with his father anytime soon. He was staying in the room on the opposite end of the hall from her.

                She stood in the open doorway, taking stock of their ‘guest room’ that had become Val’s room. The large windows on the right of the room gave a stunning view of the city and the Sea of Ghosts beyond. It seemed Auryen had sprung for the same thick velvet curtains throughout the apartment. The bedroom was large, and well furnished, if a bit sterile due to the lack of personal touches. Concurrently, noticing the lack of Val’s presence she took a moment to look around.

                Her fingertips brushed over the vase of flowers that sat on the small side table next to the door as she entered the room. It was exactly what she would have expected Auryen to curate for a guest. She stood before a large oak writing desk pushed against one wall, Aelyn gazed up at the oil painting hung above it. She smiled recalling how excited Auryen had been when she had brought that particular one in. It was a scene of ancient ruins, being overtaken by nature. The painter had been quite famous in his heyday, and the work had been named, ‘Reclamation.’ Aptly so, as he had perfectly captured the way nature took what man had abandoned and remade it as its own.  

                She turned toward the small settee and chairs, positioned in front of the fireplace and near the windows, unable to keep herself from touching the deep blue curtains that hung from the four-poster bed as she walked past it. Aelyn couldn’t help herself, the plush velvet was so incredibly soft. Her touch was still lingering on the drapes enclosing the bed when the sound of a throat clearing made her jump.

                “Can I help you?” Val leaned in the doorway, watching her. He’d clearly just come from the bath, his damp hair curling slightly, a little messier than normal. He looked… Tired. She paused, why was she so damn anxious over this? It was just a conversation. A concerned friend, checking in with another friend.

                “I wanted to talk.” She shifted on her feet as he closed the door behind him, moving toward the fireplace to toss another piece of wood onto the flames. “About what happened the other day…”

                “What happened the other day?” He repeated her words confused.

                “Val, I’m sorry.” The words tumbled right out of her mouth. “He was your father and-”

                “Let me stop you there.” He held up a hand. “You don’t need to feel bad about that. Any of it. I said my piece on it, and I meant it.” Aelyn paused, her eyes looked a little glassy in the light from the fireplace.

                “But, about Fathis-” She began taking a step toward him.

                “You had to pick that huh?” He scoffed, but more to himself than anything. Val had a calculating look in his eyes as he approached her. “Alright, what about Fathis?”

                “He was your friend.” She couldn’t understand his attitude about the whole thing. His father had pitted them against one another, right?

                “Was. I don’t miss him. If that’s what you’re wondering.” He leaned against the settee, crossing his arms over his chest.

                “Val. That’s not true, that can’t be true.” She shook her head moving closer to him.

                “It is.” He glared, then seemed to regret the tone he took with her. To Aelyn, it was an irredeemable tragedy for Val and Fathis’s relationship to have been sundered like that, with no reverence for what it once had been.

                “Tell me a good memory that you have of him.” Undeterred, Aelyn took another step toward him.

                “I know what you’re trying to do.” He rolled his eyes, “Ugh. Fine. Maybe it will help. There was one shore leave down in Hammerfell, where we decided we were going to learn to pick pockets.” He grinned to himself, and found herself grinning with him as she moved to lean against the back of the settee next to him. “We got pretty good in crowds, working together. So, we got the bright idea to try our newfound skills on my father.” Val found himself chuckling over the memory. “Obviously, Fathis and I spent the next three months on dogwatch.” A long moment stretched between them.

                “So how did it end up that you fought each other outside of Solitude?” She asked softly. He heaved a sigh, glancing at her briefly before continuing.

                “I’d just managed to escape from prison. He’d come there to kill me.” Val shrugged dismissively, “I was unarmed and badly outnumbered. But I managed to stab him with his own sword before the mutineers with him took me down. They got cold feet and hauled me back unconscious to face Tarek instead of killing me outright. You know the rest.” Val was suddenly leagues away, talking about the events as if they had happened to someone else. Her chest felt tight, she’d dealt with things similarly and still did, it was a strange feeling watching your own mistakes reflected in another person. She pressed a palm to her sternum, hoping to relieve the pressure she felt there. It did nothing.

                “Did you mean for him to die?” Her voice was quiet, the only sound between them for a long moment was the crackling of the fire.

                “No. Yes.” He stood up, walking away from her, “I was angry. I wanted revenge for his betrayal. But Fathis was my brother too.” His voice cracked. He blamed himself, she realized, and it felt as if her stomach hit the floor. “I would have given him a healing potion or something, at least not let him die alone in a ditch on the side of the road…”

                “What happened after wasn’t under your control…” She tried to reason as she followed him. He saw that right? That it wasn’t his fault? He rounded on her, his anger was suddenly palpable but directed at himself.

                “I’m the captain of a ship. Everything that happens on board is my responsibility.” Val stood up straight, then began to pace. “I was complacent and arrogant…” He berated himself, his fury simmering. It was easier to be mad, to feel guilty.

                “What were you supposed to do, Val? Just let him stab you?!” She’d had enough, Aelyn threw up her hands, frustrated, at her mistakes, at his, at the situation.

                She tried to force him to look at her, turning him toward her but he simply moved away from her. He wasn’t ready to give up the guilt, or his anger. Someone should be angry over Fathis’ death, shouldn’t they? It might as well be him and since he couldn’t blame anyone for it, he’d take that on as well.

                “I should have seen it coming years before.” Val snatched her hand this time as she tried to turn him toward her again. His green eyes were lit with an emotion she couldn’t name, something like anger, like guilt, like malice, she wasn’t sure. One thing was clear, he wasn’t going to let it go, it was like a lifeline for him.

                “What were you going to do? Val, you were unconscious!” Aelyn challenged, standing toe to toe with him.

                “I held the sword, and his death is my fault!” He was gripping both her wrists now, his gaze burning into hers.

                “If anyone is to blame for his death, it’s Tarek!” She snarled back, cold fury swept through her, but she felt herself starting to heat up; suddenly regretting not turning the other Captain Serano to ash.

                “You don’t know that, his blood is on my hands,” Val growled, of course she wouldn’t understand. Other people were allowed to make mistakes, but not him. He knew better.

                “I found Fathis more than a day after the incident near the docks where you were captured. He was still alive.” Aelyn reminded him, Val’s eyes widened, letting go of her as if she had burned him. He stepped back from her. Had he been there that long? And not one of the crew came to find him?

                “The person who killed Fathis was Tarek for leaving him there.” She wasn’t yelling, but this was almost worse. A strange and terrifying power radiated in her voice, the room almost seemed to shrink, the orange streak in her eyes seemed to glimmer and grow, “You didn’t wound him so badly that he was beyond help. Tarek left him, left him to drown in his own blood. That’s what happened to your friend, your brother, and your father let you blame yourself for it.”

                Val heard the truth in her words and they devastated him. It was a raw type of pain, akin to when a festered wound has to be reopened and cleaned for it to heal. He exhaled shakily.

Every last vestige of anger fell away from her as they both stood there, staring at one another. Suddenly, the two steps between them seemed like a vast chasm, too far for her to withstand. The lost look on his face was driving a sharp tearing sensation between her ribs. He reached out to her, and the pull was nearly magnetic. She stepped into his arms and looped hers around his neck, letting him hold on tight for a long moment.

                Aelyn lifted her head briefly, there wasn’t a thought in her mind other than finding a balm to this hurt she seemed to feel over wounds that weren’t even hers. She stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips softly against his cheek. The gesture seemed to soothe the stinging sensation somewhat. Surprised, he slowly turned his head to look at her.

                Aelyn stared back at him, her heart immediately began hammering in her chest, thumping hard enough she was certain he could feel it. Still, her limbs moving of their own will it seemed, she guided his face a little closer so she could do it again. He let go of a breath he was holding as she tentatively kissed his cheek again, his arms tightening around her, as his hand slid to the small of her back.

                Val was looking into her wide blue eyes as they drifted down to his lips and slowly back up to meet his gaze. Almost imperceptibly, he leaned toward her, the tip of his nose brushed across hers, a soft coaxing gesture as she licked her lips absently. She couldn’t breathe, her pulse racing, was she really about to cross the line?

                She needed to stop herself before it was too late but she was trapped inside, watching it all in slow motion as she stared into his eyes, unblinking, held tightly in his arms as she leaned in and with the barest of touches, brushed her lips against his. They were so close that it might have been an accident, except for the sharp intake of breath that gave her away. He followed her retreating kiss, unwilling to let it go at just that. Val cupped the side of her face, urging her closer to him. She complied, her eyes fluttering closed as he kissed her properly. Her hand slid to his chest while his moved into her hair to cradle the back of her head, slanting his lips to feel more of hers.

                Her lungs burned for air, and she felt lightheaded, unable to process even a single coherent thought as the sensation hypnotized her. She opened her mouth to gasp and he wasn’t about to let an opportunity slip past him. He pressed his tongue against hers, tasting her, soliciting a surprised little noise from her as he deepened the kiss.

                She’d never been kissed like this. It wasn’t hurried, or impatient, it wasn’t domineering or forceful. Each stroke of his tongue along hers was a seduction, pulling her under.  She was melting in his arms, pressing against him like a cat trying to mark its scent.  Somewhere on the edge of her mind, it occurred to her that she should tell him to stop before things went too far. Aelyn pulled back trying to pull oxygen into her lungs,

                “Val,” she tried, but the way his name sounded was positively sinful, he groaned, his lips sliding to her throat, “Please-”

                That wasn’t the right word, she was supposed to be telling him to stop! His teeth grazed the column of her neck. Aelyn was burning up, her fingers winding in the fabric of his shirt, she was aching for something more. His hand moved from her hair down toward her hip, pulling her firmly against him, and it was everything she could do to not outright moan. Her fingers threaded through his golden locks; she was supposed to be telling him something... His mouth moved to the open neckline of her top, nipping at her collarbone as she whimpered in response, his hand pushing up the hem of her shirt.

                “W-wait-” She managed to whisper and oh, that sounded like an awful idea even to her, but he froze almost instantly.

                They stood, both completely still for an entire breath, his lips hovering over her collarbone, his hand half under her shirt, and her fingers had somehow found their way into his hair. Aelyn stumbled back, trying to catch her breath. Val stood up slowly, his gaze was unmistakably heated, but he didn’t move. He wiped the moisture from his bottom lip slowly, with his thumb, not breaking eye contact with her, before pushing the pad of it into his mouth. A bolt of white-hot desire shot straight through her. She knew, without a doubt, that if she didn’t leave at that very moment, she would be staying all night. Aelyn ran, out of the room, down the hall to her bedroom, and slammed the door shut behind her. She pressed her fingertips to her lips. There was no turning back from that. She instinctively wrapped her arms around herself, what had she done? What if he changed his mind? What if he hated it? What if he didn’t? Gods, he was going to eat her alive, and some traitorous part of her wanted to let him.

Chapter Text

“What’s wrong Remi?” Aelyn asked watching her friend poke at their breakfast.

“I don’t know… My heart just isn’t in it right now.” Remi sighed pushing a caper around her smoked salmon. Aelyn’s brow furrowed.

“Your heart isn’t in… Eating?”

“Well, you see…” Remi set her fork down, “I was imagining having a grand meal, sitting at a long table with friends and family knocking back warm drinks.” She sighed again, her eyes far away. “And in my mind’s eye, the food that was laid out was a first course of stuffed capon, accompanied by sliced fox tongues. On the side, there was some fried battaglir with a dip of rich goat cheese. And to finish it all off… Honey cakes, powdered with sugar.”

Aelyn smiled, Remi had a bit of an idealistic side to her and often was lost in her own head more than she was present. That might have been annoying to some, but for Aelyn, it was endearing. She wondered what it was like to grow up being able to afford such fantasies.

“Sounds like you were a noble.” Val wandered into the dining room, and Aelyn immediately focused on her plate, a blush rising in her cheeks. Remi bristled.

“I wasn’t a noble. We were simply well-off. Nobles probably eat gold. I assume.” Remi seemed to actually consider the idea. Val laughed, pouring himself a cup of coffee from the sidebar and pulling up a chair across from Aelyn, but facing Remiel.

“Well off enough for sliced fox tongues? Only the rich can be so barbaric.” He smirked but there was a ringing of truth in his words. He was both teasing her and had meant what he said. It succeeded in provoking her.

“What we had was enough gold to share with neighbors and have a delicious home-cooked buffet. We didn’t have servants bringing us the platters. No, we were all in the kitchen together before the meal, and then we shared the table during. And it was some the best-tasting food when everyone came together to share it.” Aelyn tried to picture in her head what that might be like, and suddenly, the Fighter’s Guild came to mind, the mess hall, the mercenaries laughing and drinking. Ignus smiling down at her after a hard day of training. Her brows bent together as she frowned, staring at her plate.

“What a treat to be your neighbor.” Val laughed a little, “So if the food was so good, why isn’t your heart in eating?” Remi huffed in response like the answer was obvious.

“Well, my imagination had that glowy yellow sheen of something I am remembering as better than it actually was.” She crossed her arms over her chest pouting a little, her memories leaving her disappointed with the present. “Then add in the fact that the food is…” She gestured at the boiled quail eggs, smoked salmon, and capers with onion, “Nordy.” Even Aelyn had to laugh at that, only Remi would describe food that way. “Well, it’s turned me off of eating for the moment. It will pass, though. You can count on that.”

“Still better than salt-pork and hard tack.” Val shook his head that someone could turn their nose up at quail eggs.

“You know what I mean though!” She defended her point, leaning forward toward him to entreat his response, “Don’t you have any foods you wish you could have right now? Something you’re craving?” Val grinned wickedly.

 “A craving? Well, something comes to mind.” His dark green eyes slid over to Aelyn who happened to catch his look and nearly choked on her breakfast before standing up to clear her setting.

“Remi, you’ve got to eat something. You’ll need to have something in your stomach before we get going. Is there anything I can grab you while I’m up?” Aelyn paused by the door to the kitchen.

“No, I’m sure I’ll find something worth having before we set off.” Remi continued to push the capers around on her plate.

“We should head out soon, it’s a long road from Solitude to Riften.” Aelyn was eager to get moving.

They spent the days on the road catching Remi up on the situation with the Thieves Guild. She had some musings over the mysterious thief Karliah and was eager to track her down. Aelyn had successfully avoided finding herself alone with Val for three days and two nights. Val had hoped to get an answer out of her as to why she'd run off on him the night before they left Solitude, but she was intent on avoiding the conversation. He caught on rather quickly as to what game she was playing and found it somewhat amusing. Aelyn was clever and while at first she’d avoided him so seamlessly that he was sure Remiel was in on the scheme. Then, little slip-ups started to appear. He would tease her a bit and Remi would seem confused, or Aelyn would hastily change the subject whenever he made an innuendo or illuded to kiss they'd shared. As time went on he began to realize she hadn’t said anything to her friend. They reached Riften before he could suss out her thoughts on what had transpired between them. 

The Ragged Flagon was just as they had left it. A stinking cistern below the city.

“Ah take a deep breath. That’s the smell of the criminal underworld. I do hope you have some perfumes to cover it up,” Remiel noted with disgust.

“I’m going to see if Mercer is in. You guys can grab us a table?” Aelyn asked as Val raised his brows at her.

"You're leaving us unsupervised?" He grinned.

She leveled a look at him and then headed over to the bar to speak with Vekel as Val and Remi claimed a small table off to the side for them. She had her apprehensions about leaving Remiel and Val alone together but it couldn’t be helped. She’d deal with the consequences later. Vekel looked up as she approached, laying both his hands on the bar. “Hey Vekel, I need to see Mercer. Is he in?”

“I’ll take you to him.” A familiar smug voice had her stomach souring before Vekel could even respond. Brynjolf. She glanced over at him, not really wanting to be anywhere near the thief. “We have something to discuss before you see him either way.”

“I’m sure, we have nothing to discuss.” She was pushing away from the bar and heading toward the secret door to the Guild. Brynjolf slung his arm around her shoulders.

“Listen, I told you before. What I did was wrong.” He said softly as they entered the back hallway.

“And yet here I am, still trapped.” She glared at him.

“Aye.” He smirked at that and she restrained the urge to slap him. “While I regret that what happened hurt you-”

“I never said I was hurt-” She tried to interject but he continued.

“I’d be a fool to let you go. Get comfortable lass, this is where you belong. With the Guild.” He stopped and turned her to face him. For all it was worth he seemed to believe his own words. “I want you to be careful with Mercer.” This was the second time he’d warned her about Mercer. Brynjolf knew something or suspected something of the Guild Master.

“How sweet. You’re pretending to be concerned for me.” She hissed sarcastically. Brynjolf leaned down toward her, their noses almost touching.

“I am concerned.” His eyes were a clear green, light and soft. They looked almost like polished jade in contrast to the deep auburn of his lashes. “I did what I did to keep you safe. Mercer and Maven would have torn you apart.”

“You actually believe that, don’t you? That you were helping me?” She stepped back from him, finding the wall behind her.

“You can’t blame me for doing everything I can to keep you. Even still, I don’t want to see you hurt.” He purred stepping closer.

“I can, and I will. You’re mad if you’re thinking I’m going to trust you again.” She stood up a little straighter. His lips grazed her cheek, as he pulled her to him.

“That’s probably for the best, you shouldn’t trust a man like me,” He had a strange sort of hypnosis, her hands landed on his chest, his voice tickling her ear. “But, I meant what I said about Mercer. Be careful lass.” He pulled back, his fingers sliding along the line of her jaw before he turned to walk away.

Aelyn found Mercer behind his desk, focused on a map of Winterhold. Odd. There wasn’t much out there except for the college these days. He looked up at her approach, that same unnerving smile crawling across his face. Brynjolf didn’t have to warn her. She’d never have trusted this man even if the whole of Skyrim vouched for him.

“Did Gulum-Ei give up any information on our buyer?" He asked standing and crossing his arms over his chest.

“The buyer was someone named Karliah. Ring any bells?” She measured his reaction. His eyes went wide, his face dropped. Fear.

"No, it.. it can't be. I haven't heard that name in decades.” Mercer began to pace, “This is grave news indeed, she's someone I hoped to never cross paths with again."

“Gulum-Ei seemed surprised I didn’t know who she was. Is there something I should know?” She was still watching him, there was a small tick in the corner of his eye, a muscle twitching. He was about to lie to her.

"Karliah destroyed everything this Guild stood for. She murdered my predecessor in cold blood and betrayed the Guild.” He sounded distraught, “After we discovered what she'd done, we spent months trying to track her down, but she just vanished."

“Why would she return?” Aelyn pressed, trying to find the thread of truth in his lie.

“Karliah and I were like partners. I went with her on every heist. We watched each other's backs. I know her techniques and her skills. If she kills me, there'll be no one left that could possibly catch her. If only we knew where she was..." That seemed presumptuous, after all, Aelyn had tracked her down this far.

"Where the end began, is what she told Gulum-Ei." She watched as his face lit up with a cold malice she’d come to understand was his ‘happy face’.

"There's only one place that could be. The place where she murdered Gallus... a ruin called Snow Veil Sanctum.” He pointed to the map he’d been examining when she walked up. Convenient that he had it out in front of him, which told Aelyn everything she needed to know. Mercer had already know where Karliah was. This whole act he was putting on was for Aelyn then. A chill crept up her spine. “We have to go out there before she disappears again."

“We?” She clarified.

"Yes, I'm going with you and together we're going to kill her.” Oh no, she didn’t like this. Mercer was going to use her as fodder. “Prepare yourself and meet me at the ruins as soon as you can. We can't let her slip through our fingers.”

Aelyn made her way back out to the Ragged Flagon only to find Remiel, Val, Delvin, and Dirge – the door guard, all arguing over a game of cards. Remi was half standing on her chair to measure up to Dirge who seemed to believe that she had been cheating. Val was defending Remi, while Delvin attempted to cool the situation down. Aelyn walked up to the table, and everyone paused.

“We need to talk.” She nodded to Remi and Val who swiftly extracted themselves from the table and followed her out of the Flagon.

“I’m just saying if you’re going to cheat-” Val began in on Remi.

“That’s assuming I was cheating!” Remi argued back, to which both Aelyn and Val responded with a look, “Okay fine I was, but still-”

“We’re heading to Winterhold,” Aelyn interjected as soon as they were clear of the Flagon. Val and Remi stopped walking.

“Winterhold? Oooh! The College is there, isn’t it? That sounds fun! But, why are we…?” Remi looked at Aelyn with confusion.

“Mercer believes that Karliah is hiding out in a Nordic ruin called Snow Veil Sanctum. This is where she supposedly murdered Gallus, the previous Guild Master.” Aelyn bit her lip. “I have been ordered to tag along.”

“Really?” This information didn’t seem to sit well with Val, “Why would she kill the previous Guild Master?”

“Mercer said it was greed. It seems strange to me that she would come back to torment the Guild over a crime she got away with, right?” Aelyn knew this was fishy.

“Yeah. Mercer’s explanation of Karliah’s motivations makes no sense. No one spends twenty-five years planning revenge over money. They do that over blood. Mercer or the Guild did something personal to her. Are you sure about going with him?” He looked concerned.

“I don’t have much of a choice if I don’t want Mercer running me down for the next- Wait.” It was a coincidence, right? Mercer was a vengeful sort. Was Karliah perhaps in a situation similar to her own? On the run from Mercer and the Guild? Remiel and Val seemed to come to a similar conclusion.

“What are you going to do?” Val asked, gauging her response. Aelyn stared between him and Remiel for a long moment.

“Well, aren’t you the guy who normally has a plan?” She finally asked, shifting uncomfortably.

“What you mean to say is, ‘I have no idea, please help me, Val.’ Right?” He gave her shoulder a little shove as they began to make their way out of the Ratway.

“We could always… just… Kill him?” Aelyn was out of other options. It wasn’t her favorite but, Mercer clearly intended to tie up some loose ends.

“Well, don’t you just say the sweetest things to me.” He grinned, stepping out into the daylight.

“The problem is we don’t know this ruin, and we have no way of knowing its layout before we get there. We’ll knowingly walk into a trap, and that’s all there is to it.” Remi frowned trying to come up with any other solution than letting her friend walk into the line of fire for Mercer.

“Maybe just being forewarned will be enough?” Aelyn shrugged. Without a plan, there was no way she could bring Val and Remi along. She couldn’t be responsible for putting anyone in that kind of danger.

Chapter Text

It was a cold, two-day carriage trip to Winterhold. Not their longest journey by any means, but by far the most bleak. After a night in Kynesgrove, the landscape and the weather both took an abrupt downward turn. Between Fort Kastav and Winterhold proper, nothing but frozen open tundra to the Sea of Ghosts lay before them. The wind had a biting chill to it, and little snow flurries stung their faces as the carriage rattled along. The three of them huddled together trying to stay warm. Until the College of Winterhold came into view. Aelyn had never seen it in person, and the structure was impressive. She wondered how such a tiny hold capital could sport such an institution.  Perhaps one day she would be able to see inside.

The carriage rattled to a halt outside the Frozen Hearth Inn. As Aelyn dismounted, she got her first good look at Winterhold. The city was a ruin. Abandoned homes, half-collapsed buildings, and decades-old rubble greeted them. She frowned. Hadn't the Great Collapse been decades ago? Had no one bothered to try and restore the city?

The inn was an oasis of warmth in the frozen wasteland of Winterhold. As was normal in most small towns, almost all the denizens of the town were gathered there for the evening. Aelyn sat back as Val and Remi bickered over dinner before getting engrossed in talking about crossbows and Dwemer artifacts. She grinned, they were becoming fast friends. Remi had a way of wiggling into someone’s heart, like a little sister. And Val… It was all too easy to get swept up into his charm. People naturally gravitated toward him. He glanced in her direction and caught her watching the two of them and winked. Aelyn rolled her eyes and smirked. 

She couldn’t let them follow her into Snow Veil Sanctum. With no plan, walking into a known trap, she couldn’t let them risk their lives in such a way. Aelyn already knew, before they woke, she’d head out to meet Mercer. 

She felt a little bad, leaving Val and Remiel behind, but she couldn’t live with herself if something happened to either of them. Just as she’d planned, she slipped out of bed and crept out of the inn, into the vicious cold of the early morning. It was a short hike to Snow Veil Sanctum. The ruin was not particularly hard to find. It sat tucked away behind a small copse of trees, in the lee of an outcropping of rock. Mercer’s campfire was a beacon in the dim morning light.

"Good, you're finally here.” Mercer stood up from his place near the fire as she approached. “I've scouted the ruins and I'm certain Karliah is still inside."

“You saw her?” Aelyn asked, sounding surprised.

"No, I found her horse. Don't worry, I've taken care of it... she won't be using it to escape.” As he said it, and understanding dawned on her, Aelyn’s stomach churned, he had killed the poor creature. “Let's get moving, I want to catch her inside while she's distracted. Take the lead."

"You want me to lead?" Aelyn was light-footed but he could have been a little less obvious about using her as cannon fodder.

"I'm sorry, I was under the impression I was in charge. You're leading and I'm following. Does that seem clear to you?" He snarled. She was out here, alone, with this shifty bastard and the only reason he was still breathing was because she needed Karliah.

"Understood." She conceded as they moved toward the entrance of the ruin.

“Twenty-five years ago I was standing outside these very same ruins. Gallus told me to meet here but he wouldn’t say why.” Mercer began as they descended the stairs toward the door. “When I arrived, Gallus stepped from the shadows. Before he uttered a sound, an arrow pierced his throat. Before I could even draw my blade, her second arrow found its mark in my chest.”

“This Karliah must be particularly talented to take on two experienced thieves by herself,” Aelyn remarked. His story was rather detailed, perhaps he was telling the truth?

“Karliah was a master marksman and her greatest weapon was the element of surprise. I was lucky… She missed my heart by mere inches.” The venom in his words set Aelyn’s teeth on edge. “I staggered away from the ruins and my vision began to blur. It was then that I realized the bitch had poisoned her arrows.” Aelyn’s heart rate spiked, what if Karliah got the drop on them? Would she be lucky if an arrow was the worst of her worries?

“What happened to Gallus?” She was still unclear as to why Karliah would come back after getting away with her crime. Unless… Unless there was more to the story?

“The last thing I saw was Karliah dumping his body into an opening atop the ruins; an unceremonious end for a remarkable man.” Mercer sounded like he meant the last part, “To this day I’ve regretted allowing her to escape, even if it meant I had died trying. I owed Gallus that much.”

Aelyn digested what he’d said for a moment. It still felt like something was missing from his story. It didn’t matter she concluded. Aelyn was still there, still being used as target practice.

"Just make certain you keep your eyes open. Karliah is as sharp as a blade. The last thing I need is you blundering into a trap and warning her that we're here.“ Mercer warned as he approached the door to Snow Veil Sanctum, “ They say that these ancient Nordic burial mounds are sometimes impenetrable. This one doesn't look too difficult. Quite simple really, I don't know what the fuss is about these locks. All it takes is a bit of know-how and a lot of skill."

He pulled out a strange-looking lockpick, unlike any Aelyn had ever seen before, and began testing the different crevices of the door. Eventually, he found purchase and Aelyn couldn’t see quite what he was doing but the door unlocked with a low ‘thunk’ and the sound of stone scraping against stone assaulted her ears as the door opened. Mercer stood back looking rather pleased.

"That should do it. After you." He gestured for her to proceed with a sneer.

It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dim light of the crypt. They descended a set of ancient stairs, down and down into the first room. It looked like a preparation room, centuries-long abandoned tools set out on workspaces meant to prepare the dead for their final rest. Guttering candlelight kept lit by the undead flickered against cold stone walls.

"The stench in here... this place smells of death. Be on your guard." Mercer muttered from behind her.

Aelyn was faster than Mercer, silently moving along the shadows, careful not to disturb the resting dead. Down another short set of stairs was the first burial room. Large stone sarcophagi were arranged on the floor and set into the walls.

"Pull the chain over there, and watch out for the spikes. Looks like Karliah reset all of the traps." Mercer said softly over her shoulder.

 Aelyn spied the chain he was referring to, a chain dangled behind a barricade of spikes, ready to snap forward and impale unsuspecting intruders. She made her way behind the barricade, sliding into the small space between it and the wall, reaching for the chain. Her fingertips brushed the cool metal, just a little further as she stretched, and tugged the chain. The barricade flung forward with a loud ‘snap’. They both waited, listening. The halls of the crypt remained silent. Pressing forward, they found two more traps to avoid. Karliah had set up a few spring traps as well that Aelyn quickly sidestepped. Great. Not only did they have to find her, and evade the normal ruin traps, but she’d left a few little surprises along the way for them as well.

They had been picking their way through the ruin for hours and found several makeshift traps set to alert Draugr to their presence or just to slow their progress. Long strands of bones strung up to rattle when touched, pots and urns stacked in front of doors, some set up so that when the door opened, they would trigger one of the ancient traps in the ruin before they could avoid it. Mercer assured her that the deterrents meant they were on the right track.

As they approached a large iron door, the hairs on the back of Aelyn’s neck began to stand up, her skin prickled, and she was certain Draugr were milling about on the other side. She hated dealing with Draugr. They gave her the creeps.

"That door up ahead... looks perfect for hiding an ambush. Be ready." Mercer nodded toward it, Aelyn stood frozen to the spot. There was something else, something beyond the Draugr that was giving her pause, just beyond her senses. “Well?” Mercer prompted, cutting her a glare. Aelyn eased the door open.

The smell of decayed flesh assaulted her nose. She could hear the papery grinding of mummified flesh flexing and abrading against itself and she resisted a shiver.

There were two patrolling the lower level, and three on a platform above. The door suddenly made a loud creak as the hinges caught. The creature closest to her rasped and croaked, sounding in alarm. Aelyn went to backpedal, but Mercer shoved her forward. She stumbled into the room, crashing into the Draugr that had raised the alarm. It was on her instantly, its nails raking down her arm before she could even pull her blade. The three from the upper level came running down a rickety old stair and Mercer stepped in to fight.

Aelyn was tackled to the ground, the shrill screech of the Draugr shattering her eardrums, she tried to pull her dagger free and still was unable to. The snapping jaws of the Draugr drew close to her face when finally, she grabbed an old stone and cracked it against the head of her attacker.  Its skull crumbled on impact, the unearthly blue light in its eyes extinguishing. She kicked its body off of her, drawing her blade ready this time, as the next Draugr turned its head unnaturally in her direction.

‘They are meant to serve us,’  

The whisper of a memory surfaced, and her hand trembled. No, now wasn’t the time. She had to fight; they wouldn’t take her. Aelyn charged the creature as Mercer made short work of two that were attacking him, a third was still hobbling its way down the stairs from the upper platform. Blood was soaking the left arm of her tunic as her dagger tore into the papery flesh of the next undead. Her movements felt a little sluggish – she’d likely contracted Brown Rot. She’d need to be careful, being more susceptible to injury then. Aelyn looked up just in time to see Mercer running at her, his blade drawn. She didn’t even have time to react, her brow furrowed, and he thrust his sword forward straight at her. The blade went right over her shoulder and into the chest of the Draugr behind her. They both paused. Mercer smirked, that smarmy grin making her stomach churn. He was faster than her, and they both knew had he intended, her number would have been up at that moment. She let out a breath.

“Thank you.” She muttered.

“Let’s keep moving.” He growled setting off toward the hall leading out of the room.

Further into the ruin, they followed Karliah’s trail of breadcrumbs. Aelyn was beginning to think of the traps she had laid as little love notes, urging them along. As they turned down a long wide hallway, she saw an intricately designed, circular door.

“Ah, it's one of the infamous Nordic puzzle doors.” Mercer stepped in front of her, “How quaint.” He began to inspect it, looking rather disappointed, “Without the matching claw, they're normally impossible to open. And since I'm certain Karliah already did away with it, we're on our own. Fortunately, these doors have a weakness if you know how to exploit it. Quite simple, really.” He pulled out the strange lockpick once more, and again, she couldn’t see exactly what he was doing. It seemed like he was testing different parts of the door for weakness but then suddenly it shifted. Dust fell from the frame, and as before, the loud thunk, and grinding sound of stone on stone as the door began to open. “Karliah's close. I'm certain of it. Now let's get moving."

Mercer shoved her forward in the room. Almost instantly Aelyn knew this was where Karliah had been hiding, laying in wait for them. She couldn’t explain how she knew but – it didn’t take long for her instincts to be proven right. She didn’t even get a good look at the room before the arrow tore into her shoulder. Aelyn cried out, the force of the shot throwing her backward. Gods, it fucking hurt! She went to stand, to draw her blade, only for her limbs to refuse to move. No, oh no, no, no! Poison, Mercer had said she’d poisoned her arrows. The cold sinking realization that she was about to die hit her in full force. Mercer stepped over her body into the room with a laugh. Aelyn had served her purpose, and though she couldn’t really see Karliah she could hear her, the sound of her bowstring being pulled taught as she lined up for another shot.

"Do you honestly think your arrow will reach me before my blade finds your heart?" Mercer mocked, Aelyn could only see the back of his boot from where she lay.

"Give me a reason to try." A female voice seethed through a thick Morrowind accent.

"You're a clever girl, Karliah. Buying Goldenglow Estate and funding Honningbrew Meadery was inspired." He was taunting her, trying to draw her out.

"'To ensure an enemy's defeat, you must first undermine his allies.' It was the first lesson Gallus taught us." There was pain laced in the statement, regret?

"You always were a quick study." Mercer sighed like he was tired. The way someone would sigh before performing a chore that was beneath them.

"Not quick enough, otherwise Gallus would still be alive." Karliah’s voice cracked. At that, Aelyn tried to crane her head, which did nothing. Had Karliah not been responsible for Gallus’s death? She wasn’t surprised.

"Gallus had his wealth and he had you. All he had to do was look the other way." Mercer snarled, his voice betraying his irritation.

"Did you forget the Oath we took as Nightingales? Did you expect him to simply ignore your methods?" Her tone turned accusatory.

"Enough of this mindless banter!” Mercer had enough, he sounded violent, Aelyn tried again to move, to see what was happening but it was useless.“Come, Karliah. It's time for you and Gallus to become reunited!"

"I'm no fool, Mercer. Crossing blades with you would be a death sentence. But I can promise the next time we meet, it will be your undoing." Karliah’s voice faded as if she was moving farther away.

Silence followed. A long moment stretched until she heard Mercer scoff. He turned, his heavy boot steps growing closer. She already knew, there was no way he was going to let her live after witnessing that conversation. The question was whether he was going to end her quickly or leave her for the skeevers to eat. This was not how she had imagined her end.

"How interesting.” Mercer jostled her limp body with his boot, “It appears Gallus's history has repeated itself.” He bent down, grabbing her chin to make her look at him. There was a chilling glint in his eyes, “Karliah has provided me with the means to be rid of you, and this ancient tomb becomes your final resting place. But do you know what intrigues me the most? The fact that this was all possible because of you. Farewell. I'll be certain to give Brynjolf your regards." Mercer stood up, his sword in hand.

She almost didn’t feel it, when he ran her through. The blade cut into her so smoothly that she hadn’t even realized he’d actually stabbed her at first. He pulled his sword free, the wet sound she heard was her blood clinging to the blade. The heat blooming across her chest was her life slipping free of her. Mercer shook off his sword, her head lolled to the side as she watched his boots step away from her.

Darkness invaded her vision, she knew she needed to hang on but she was so tired. Bleeding out on the floor of an old ruin wasn’t ideal, but better than being eaten by skeevers. She would still probably be eaten by skeevers but likely dead before that happened, thankfully. She felt cold, and that made sense.

She was glad that she hadn’t brought Val and Remi along. She wouldn’t have wanted them to know this was how it ended for her. A wave of grief ripped through her at the thought. Grief for the life she wouldn’t have. Grief for the pain this would cause her friends. She didn’t want to think about the face Remi would make, what would Mercer even tell them? Something awful to be sure. Val wouldn’t believe it.

Val.

She hadn’t wanted to admit it. But it seemed silly to deny it now, that she liked the pirate. She had liked him almost immediately and she didn’t want to leave him behind. Aelyn had grown rather fond of him, more so in the past two weeks than ever before. She bemoaned how she’d let her fear hold her back. It might have been nice, to be close to someone again. Her old scars had left her wanting in her last moments. Was it selfish to want to live for such a reason, because she wanted to see him again? She wondered, as her consciousness slipped away from her, and the darkness took her completely.

Chapter Text

Was this what it was like to be dead? Her body ached, and she wanted to open her eyes but couldn’t. Her face felt cold but the rest of her was nestled into something soft and warm.

“I’m going to need you to explain-” That sounded like Val, the growling edge to his voice when he was pissed off. She wanted to laugh, feeling bad for whoever was on the receiving end of that.

“I already told you-” A woman with a Morrowind accent argued back.

That voice sounded familiar. Aelyn tried to move, and to her surprise, her limb fell to the side of her. It wasn’t responding completely but, it was doing something.

“I think she’s waking up!” Remi sounded close and desperate. Aelyn tried to call out to her but her voice seemed lost and far away.  “Aelyn?” She called.

It took an exhausting effort to open her eyes. Everything was blurry, it was dark, yet an orange glow outlined the fuzzy shape of Remi’s face.

“Oh thank Akatosh you’re awake,” Her voice cracked as Remiel’s face came into focus. She had been crying. Aelyn wanted to reach out to her but her arm flopped uselessly. “I wasn’t sure if she was telling the truth about saving you or not. So, this is a twist, the guild master is actually the killer! Ah, well you know. Honor among thieves.” Remi was rambling, attempting to hide how upset the situation had made her.

She didn’t have time to really consider anything else as a pair of large hands cradled her face, directing her gaze toward a set of worried-looking green eyes. Her heart started to beat faster. Val.

“Ah, thank Azura you’re alive!” He let his thumbs crest over her cheekbones before his brow furrowed. “What the fuck were you thinking?!” She’d known that was coming, and couldn’t stop the slight upturn of her lips. She wasn’t sure she’d get to see him again. A warm feeling had started to bloom in her chest at the sound of his voice but seeing him had her heart pounding. He let her face go and turned away from her with a deep sigh. “Mercer is going to pay for this. I’m just glad Karliah turned out to be on our side.”

So, Karliah had been the other voice. She tried to sit up, but that was a mistake – searing pain shot through her torso and shoulder, assuring her she wasn’t dead.  She shut her eyes tightly against the hurt to prevent her vision from blurring, but the pain eased as she felt someone wrapping their arm around her shoulders to help her sit up. Aelyn knew it was Val before she opened her eyes, she could smell the spicy citrus scent that she’d come to associate with him.

Aelyn found her upper body wrapped in bandages, exposed from the waist up. She had been resting near the campfire buried in furs to keep her warm. The wound in her shoulder had been healed, though it remained bruised. Mercer's stab wound seemed to be taking a little longer, the white linen bandages were spotting with crimson as she struggled to sit.

“Easy, easy. Don't get up so quickly. How are you feeling?" Karliah rushed over to her, a potion bottle in her hand. Aelyn opened her eyes. Karliah was, in fact, a Dunmer and she was stunningly beautiful.  Her eyes were each a unique shade of amethyst, and her silky raven locks fell about her shoulders. The high arch of her brow let Aelyn know she was staring.  She quickly looked away, embarrassed. “Mercer’s blade was enchanted so the wound is taking a little longer to heal, even with the help of potions.”

“Well, you shot me so-“ She tried not to snap but damn it if she’d just waited, she wouldn’t have been left dying on the floor of the ruin. Val glanced between the two of them, his mouth turned downward in a slight frown.

“No, I saved your life. My arrow was tipped with a unique paralytic poison. It slowed your heart and kept you from bleeding out. Had I intended to kill you, we wouldn't be having this conversation." Karliah stooped over her uncorking the bottle. She moved to feed it to Aelyn who eyed her suspiciously.

“If you hadn’t shot me, it wouldn’t have been a problem. What’s this?” She nodded toward the uncorked bottle.

“It’s an antidote. You need to take it every hour for the next two doses for it to be effective.” Karliah huffed impatiently. Frowning, Aelyn let Karliah tilt her head back with Val’s help and pour the potion down her throat.  "My original intention was to use that arrow on Mercer, but I never had a clear shot.” She continued, “I made a split-second decision to get you out of the way and it prevented your death."

"You should have shot Mercer instead." She swallowed, and it felt like broken glass going down her throat, though admittedly, it was much easier for her to move almost instantly.

"I promise you, the thought crossed my mind, but there wasn’t time. The poison on that arrow took me a year to perfect; I only had enough for a single shot." Karliah seemed miffed that Aelyn was questioning her. "All I had hoped was to capture Mercer alive."

“Alive?” She was shocked, hadn’t she been trying to shoot Mercer?

"Mercer must be brought to the Guild to answer for what he's done. He needs to pay for Gallus's murder.” Karliah’s voice dropped, and the chill of cold vengeance seeped into her words, “My purpose in using Snow Veil Sanctum to ambush Mercer wasn't simply for irony's sake. Before both of you arrived, I recovered a journal from Gallus's remains. I suspect the information we need is written inside." Aelyn rolled her eyes.

“Assuming the journal is genuine and not just written by you-" A journal? That was her ‘evidence’? Who would believe such a thing?

"The journal is written in some sort of language I've never seen before." Karliah seemed exasperated, she had to know that her proof was flimsy at best. The one thing it did have going for it was this strange language it was written in. A language no one present was familiar with.

“So, how are you going to translate it? Would someone up at the college be able to help?” Remi piped up, taking the journal from Karliah and flipping through it with a frown.

"Enthir..." A lightbulb went off for Karliah, “Gallus's friend at the College of Winterhold. Of course... The only outsider Gallus trusted with the knowledge of his Nightingale identity."

“You said that before, in the ruin – What’s a Nightingale?” Aelyn was sitting up properly, and Val reluctantly let go of her shoulders as she tested her range of motion.

"There were three of us. Myself, Gallus and Mercer. We were an anonymous splinter of the Thieves Guild in Riften.” She seemed to shift uncomfortably as she stood and faced away from them, “Perhaps I'll tell you more about it later. Right now, you need to head for Winterhold with the journal and find Enthir.” Karliah filled two more bottles with the antidote she’d dosed Aelyn with. “Hopefully he’ll have something to help with the translation.” She turned back toward her, “Here, take these as well, they may prove useful for your journey."

“Wait, you’re not coming with us? How are we supposed to find Enthir?” Remiel crossed her arms over her chest. Aelyn found her feet and took the bottles from Karliah, inspecting them carefully.

"I'm afraid not. There are preparations to make, and Gallus's remains to lay to rest. I promise to join you there as soon as I can. Enthir stays in the basement of the Frozen Hearth, Dagur is the innkeeper, he should be able to point you in the right direction."

“We need to get you to Winterhold regardless, I’m not liking the idea of leaving a hole in your chest untreated.” Val handed her what was left of her tunic. There was no saving it at this point, she’d have to replace it. He grabbed an extra fur from the pallet she’d been sleeping on and threw it around her shoulders.

The first lights of dawn were warming the frozen blue of the horizon as they set out toward Winterhold. She’d lost track of time completely, there was no way to know how long she’d been out. Once they were far enough away from Karliah’s camp that the glow of her fire could no longer be seen, Remiel and Val both started in on her.

“How could you just leave us?!” Remiel’s voice went up an octave, she was upset.

“That was sloppy. Even for you.” Val agreed. “Going in there with no backup was just stupid.”

“You’re lucky to even be alive right now,” Remi added.

“Trust me, no one is more keenly aware of that fact than me. Thanks.” Aelyn shot Remi a sidelong glance. “And thank you… For coming for me.” She muttered under the weight of her shame. She wanted to apologize but, she knew she’d do the same thing again. She wasn’t sure if they knew how close of a call it had actually been and wasn’t about to inform them either. Aelyn had more than just looked death in the face, she’d given it a little kiss on the cheek.

Once they reached the Frozen Hearth, Dagur informed them that Enthir was currently attending to business at the college. He usually returned in the evening so, they left the message that they had come calling for him with Dagur. Remiel happily bought a drink and went about tinkering with the valve system in Dagur’s brewing vats after announcing that his ale tasted ‘yeasty’.

She was supposed to be ‘resting’ in the room upstairs but found herself pacing instead. Aelyn felt like she was in a free fall – toward some inevitable conclusion but what that was, eluded her. One of the women in the bar room had seen the state she’d been in when they arrived, her shredded tunic, bloody bandages, shivering and wrapped in furs, and taken pity on her.

Birna ran the only store in town and had brought Aelyn an old shirt and fresh bandages. They had purchased a few extra healing potions to help speed her recovery along.

Aelyn sighed at the garment. She wished they’d had something in black, or red even. The gauzy white fabric wasn’t going to last a week with how much bloodshed they saw. She was trying to lace the overstay properly when she heard Val laughing at her. Aelyn frowned looking up to see him standing in the doorway.

“Well, I can tell you’re not accustomed to taking those on and off at least.” He smirked crossing the room.

“I suppose I need an expert.” She rolled her eyes, holding the strings out to him. “And what’s that supposed to mean?” He took the leather cords in hand, adjusting the lacing as he went. She’d been ready to grimace at the pressure but, he was surprisingly gentle.

“You and Karliah.” He said simply, intently focused on his task.

“Me and Karliah what?” She watched his fingers move deftly both lacing and tightening the stay at the same time.

“You liked her.” He smirked a little half-heartedly. Aelyn’s brow bent in confusion.

“She shot me. I like her like an arrow in the… shoulder.” She scoffed. Val shook his head, jealously wasn’t really his style. But as he secured the overstay, he hooked his fingers into the lacing and pulled her close to him.

“You know what the problem is with playing hard to get?” He said softly, not letting go as he pushed her hair back from her face. He didn’t look pleased, and for some reason that was making her heart pound.

“W-who’s playing hard to get?” She cursed herself for sounding so breathless. Why couldn’t she ever be the confident and charming element to their tete-a-tete?

“You often end up alone.” There was an edge to his words, that had her stomach flipping nervously.

“I don’t get what you mean?” This felt off, the situation felt wrong for some reason.

“What do you want, Aelyn? Because if it’s me, I’m here, and all you need to do is say so.” His lips were so close to her ear, and the urge to lean into him was nearly irresistible. “But it if it’s not, then you need to tell me.” He waited for a moment. She stared at him stunned, and the words wouldn’t form in her mouth. She couldn’t, not yet at least. She didn’t have the confidence to tell him.

“I-uh-” Aelyn stammered, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. She needed to tell him, but she stood there frozen in place.

“Right.” He stepped back, releasing her.

She tried to say something, anything, but her tongue stuck uselessly to the roof of her mouth. He turned away from her. No – this was wrong, not what she’d wanted at all. Still, when she needed them most, her words refused to come. Val didn’t even glance back as he left the room, closing the door behind him with a soft click. He left her standing there, gaping, in the middle of the tiny room. His message had been clear.

She couldn’t really blame him. She had spent the better part of a week avoiding him after she’d kissed him, and Gods what a kiss it had been. Aelyn felt heat rising in her cheeks remembering the way his lips had felt, the way his tongue had slid against hers like he was tasting her. The look of feral desire he'd given her before she had bolted made her knees feel weak simply recalling it. It had excited her but it had also terrified her. The intensity with which her body had responded to him scared her. She wasn’t prepared for the consequences of that kiss. Aelyn knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that if he treated her the way she'd seen him treat his other 'relations', it would wreck her in a way that she might not recover from. It was better to keep a distance. Even without Karliah getting thrown into the mix she wasn’t sending him the clearest of signals. She was a coward, frozen in place when it mattered most. Her fear had kept her alive though, and she didn’t know what her life would look like without it. She couldn’t convince herself to let go of it. Just as Val’s anger had been his lifeline, her fear was hers.

Chapter Text

She stared for one moment, two moments, trying to process what had just happened. A sick feeling settled in the pit of her stomach, and she decided that she had to set things straight at that moment. Aelyn crossed the room and threw open the door, intent on finding Val, only to crash into a very confused-looking Wood Elf.

“I’m sorry, excuse me-” Aelyn helped the Bosmer right himself.

“I heard you were looking for me but didn’t expect such enthusiasm…” He muttered, smiling at Aelyn. He was her height, with dark golden hair and matching eyes.

“Looking for you? No, I-” She paused, realizing who was standing before her. “You’re Enthir?”

“The very same. And you are?” Enthir had an easy-going nature that Aelyn immediately appreciated.

“I’m Aelyn Ravenspire, Karliah sent me.” Aelyn opened the door to her room, letting him enter.

"Karliah? Then she's finally found it. Do you have Gallus's Journal?" He clasped his hands before him, trying not to look overly eager.

“Yes, but there's a problem.” Aelyn sighed, pulling the journal out and handing it to Enthir.

"A problem? Let me see it.” He flipped through the pages with a bemused smile, shaking his head, “This is just like Gallus. A dear friend but always too clever for his own good. He's written all of the text in the Falmer language."

“I’m sorry, what? The Falmer language?” Aelyn had encountered the creatures before while in Nchuandzel with Remi. She didn’t realize they could speak, much less read and write – weren’t they blind? “Can you translate it?”

"No. However, I know someone who might.” Enthir flipped through a few more pages before returning the journal to her. “The court wizard of Markarth, Calcelmo, may have the materials you need to get this journal translated—a word of warning. Calcelmo is a fierce guardian of his research. Getting the information won't be easy."

Her heart sank. Calcelmo. Damn it. The old bastard was less likely to help her than anyone else, except maybe Remi.

“I didn’t realize the Falmer had a language. How could they even read? Aren’t they blind?” Aelyn asked, taking the journal and stowing it away again.

"I suppose the answer to that question is more complicated than not. In the time before man, they were known as the Snow Elves. They lived in the sunlight and had a very prosperous society. I would say their culture quite possibly rivaled our own." Enthir seemed to be lost in thought while he considered the subject.

“What drove them underground?” Aelyn assumed the language in the journal was not the ‘Falmer’ but that of their ancestors, the Snow Elves.

"The Nords went to war with the Falmer in the First Era. Killed them by the thousands to drive them from their snowy homeland.” Enthir tapped his chin as if contemplating something before continuing, “The Falmer retreated underground and forged an uneasy alliance with the dwarves who ended up betraying them. This betrayal made them what they are now... horrible blind monstrosities with a burning hatred of any but their own kind."

“They sound more like victims to me.” Aelyn summarized after a long pause. It didn’t seem fair to fault them for what they had to become to survive.

"Yes, I suppose you're right. Forgive me. I've lost several close friends to the Falmer, and it tends to distort my view." Enthir was also quiet for a moment; she supposed it didn’t also excuse the violence they had wrought on innocents either.

“You appear to despise them.” It was a statement without judgment. Merely an observation on her part.

"Why shouldn't I?” Enthir frowned, “The Falmer have killed more than a fair share of my acquaintances. They're animals... they show absolutely no pity or remorse. If you wish to learn more about them, you're welcome to my tome on the subject." He offered.

“Oh? I would love that.” She grinned, eager to learn more about the mysterious creatures. “If you don’t mind my asking, how did you meet Gallus? It seems like a strange relationship, a scholar and a thief.”

"Ah yes, quite an amusing anecdote, actually.” Enthir laughed a little to himself, recalling the memory. “I caught him trying to break into my laboratory. I was about to show him the error of his ways when he made a curiously astute comment about my research notes. I was astounded and in turn, it led to a conversation. Who'd have imagined it would lead to such a strong friendship?” Enthir took a deep breath; it was clear that the loss of his friend was a wound that had never healed properly. “He was a dear friend of mine and a surprisingly astute pupil of academia... I was devastated when he was killed. I suppose that risk always coexisted with his line of work; I just never thought his luck would run out."

“He was an academic, yet he chose a different path? Why?” Aelyn sat at the small table pushed against the wall in the tiny room.

"Well, for the thrill, of course.” Enthir leaned against the doorframe, smiling, “He was quite clear that he felt more in his element climbing through a window rather than hunched over a dusty tome." That reminded her of someone she knew. Aelyn wondered if Gallus had been alive if he and Val might have been friends.  

“I wonder why Gallus scribed his journal in the Falmer language?” She mused, trying to distract herself from thinking about the pirate. An ache settled in her chest.

"Besides the fact that there are only a handful of people in Tamriel that even recognize the language? I'm fairly certain he was planning some sort of a heist that involved a deep understanding of the Falmer language. Sadly, we never had the opportunity to speak about the details."

“Where did he acquire the knowledge to use it?” Aelyn wondered if there was an alternate way to get the information she needed besides placating Calcelmo.

"Ironically, I pointed him in the same direction I pointed you. To Markarth and Calcelmo. I'm only hoping whatever means he used to learn the language will still be available to you." Enthir pushed off the wall. “I really ought to get going, but you’re welcome to come see me any time. I do some work in moving… items of a sensitive nature.” Aelyn smirked; she wasn’t surprised.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Aelyn stood by the door as he left. If Gallus had been the Guild Master, would she be trying to leave so adamantly? Aelyn pushed the thought from her mind. There was no use thinking about such things; it would only make her doubt, and she couldn’t afford to doubt.

Aelyn had more than enough to think about as she closed the door behind Enthir. She would have to find a way to break into Calcelmo’s lab in Markarth. If the old wizard had something relating to the Falmer language, she’d bet almost anything that’s where he would keep it. No one was allowed inside Calcelmo’s lab. Not even the guards.

She tossed and turned all night, pondering about the Falmer and what Gallus had been planning that required such obscure knowledge. The sun rose too quickly for her liking. Aelyn dragged herself down the stairs to meet Remi and Val with dark circles under her eyes, only to find Val sitting at the bar. She sat on the bar stool next to him and was hit with a strong smell of liquor.

“Are you… Drinking?” She asked as he gave her a sidelong glance and deliberately put the bottle to his lips. “Val, it’s daybreak-”

“It’s not too early if you never stopped.” He muttered. Aelyn stared at him.

“Are you serious right now?” Her voice went up in pitch. He raised his brow at her.

“Why? Did you want some?” He offered his bottle to her. She opened her mouth to reprimand him, stopping herself as she saw Remi enter the hall.

“Alright, are we ready to go- Oh, by Sheor, Val! Did you bathe in ale?” Remi covered her nose as she stepped back from him.

“Fine, fine.” He drained the rest of the bottle. “See, all gone.” He gave it a little shake as if that had been the problem. Val stood up and immediately stumbled to the side. Aelyn and Remi both reached out to steady him.

“You are much too large to be unable to walk!” Remi groaned as he leaned his full weight onto them.

“Let’s… Ugh, get him… In the carriage.” Aelyn grunted as she tried to move him toward the entrance.

Remi and Aelyn dragged Val to the carriage waiting outside. He didn’t even bother attempting to sit on the bench, instead lying on the floor. Using his pack as a pillow, Val passed out immediately. Remi climbed up into the carriage with a deep sigh. Aelyn threw her cloak over him as he snored lightly.

“What did you do to him?” Remi folded her arms over her chest.

“Me? Why does this have anything to do with me?” Aelyn sat on the bench opposite Remiel.

“Doesn’t it?” Remi gave her a knowing glance. “I may not be the best at social cues, but this one is kind of hard to miss.” Aelyn rolled her eyes.

“It’s a little presumptuous to think his every action has something to do with me.” Aelyn huffed. She crossed her leg over her knee and accidentally kicked Val, making him grunt in his sleep. “Oh shit-” She reached down to steady him.

“No, not every action, but definitely this one.” Remi gestured vaguely at Val. She made a frustrated noise at Aelyn’s silence. “Fine, keep your secrets. But don’t think I don’t know something is going on.”

Aelyn must have dozed off at some point because her cloak was draped over her, and she had been propped up against her pack when she awoke. She yawned loudly, wiping the sleep from her eyes. Remi was fiddling with a new gadget and Val sat up on the bench opposite her, gazing out at the darkening skyline. The carriage rattled to a stop just outside the Whiterun stables. Val glanced in her direction; his green eyes were bloodshot, and he looked a little worse for wear. He said nothing to her as they disembarked from the carriage and made their way into Whiterun.

The Bannered Mare always seemed to be packed whenever they visited. However, Aelyn suspected that Hulda, the innkeeper, was just seeing her as an easy target, as she once again rented the smallest room on the third floor. Remi and Val each had a single room on the second floor.

Aelyn counted out her coins for a bath and dinner for Hulda. Hulda went to retrieve the key for the bath. Aelyn glanced up to see Val chatting with a barmaid, a Redguard woman with a scar that delicately arced along her jaw. She was pouring him an ale, smiling and leaning forward so he could get a good view into her top. He didn’t hesitate to look. His eyes slowly traveled back up to the woman’s face again with that stupid smirk he always wore when trying to be charming.

 Aelyn’s stomach soured. She took a key from Hulda and marched past Val to the small stairs leading down to the bath. She shook her head, trying to clear it. She had been right to avoid him after that kiss. What had she even been thinking when she did it? That he liked her? How stupid to believe such a thing. Who would want her anyway? Even Brynjolf was using her. She was too much of a mess inside for anyone to want, all broken and shattered. The jagged pieces cut indiscriminately.

She spent nearly an hour in the bath attempting to get her head on straight. Ultimately, she knew she couldn’t continue running from a conversation that was long overdue. When her fingertips were wrinkled from the water, Aelyn finally decided she couldn’t put it off anymore. She dried off and dressed before she made her way back up the stairs.

Not seeing Val in the main tavern room, she continued up to the second floor, pausing in front of the door to his room. She stood there staring at it momentarily before mustering the courage to knock. Aelyn waited, one heartbeat, then two. No answer. She knocked louder this time, waiting for what seemed an eternity. Still no answer. She reached for the door handle, took a deep breath, and pulled the door open in one swift movement. The room was empty.

Her heart sank. If he wasn’t in the tavern, and he wasn’t in his room… Her mind began to race. It was all she could do to push the intrusive thoughts away. She hated how her mind conjured up images of the Redguard woman from earlier and Val’s smirk as his eyes wandered over her.

Aelyn turned, practically running to her room. Her lungs wouldn’t pull in enough air as she climbed the steps two by two to her door. If she could reach for the door handle, her mind would quiet down, and she’d become sensible again. She grasped the handle and flung open the door, slamming it shut behind her. Aelyn gasped for air, her chest heaving, as she let her eyes fall closed, leaning back against the wooden frame.

“Were you being chased?” A familiar voice asked.

Aelyn jumped so suddenly that her head hit the door behind her, and she stumbled, tripping on the bedpost and falling into the adjacent wall. Val sat in the only chair in the room, tucked into a corner on the other side of the door. His brow lifted, his hair a bit disheveled, and his shirt half undone as he gave her a bemused look.

He stood up and took the two steps across the room to help her to her feet. Once again, the smell of booze was strong on his breath, mingled with the spicy citrus that lured her closer.

“Have you been drinking again?” Aelyn asked, rubbing her head where she’d hit it against the door.

“Have you? You’re the one stumbling around.” His fingers slid up her forearm as he pushed her wet hair back with his other hand.

“What are you doing here?” She glanced around her room; she spied a half-drunk bottle of rum sitting on the little table next to the chair in the corner and suddenly felt a prick of anger.

“I think we should talk.” He was using his flirty tone with her as he pressed her against the wall.

“You seemed to be enjoying your chat with Saadia earlier.” The snarky remark slipped out before she could stop it. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to,” She started before he cut her off.

“Was that her name?” A small smile hid in the corner of his mouth. Val turned from her, picked up the small bottle of rum, and took a long drink.

“What? You didn’t even know her name?” She asked, and he didn’t respond.

She went to snatch the bottle from his grasp, catching the movement out of the corner of his eye; he stepped back. Val raised the bottle as she tried to grab it and caught her around the waist. He let her momentum carry her past him as he sat her in the chair with a grin. He leaned against the door, his bottle still in hand.

“What did you want to discuss?” Aelyn shifted in the chair, adjusting her posture.

“Karliah.” He watched her carefully as her brows drew together in confusion. “I’ve been thinking. I don’t trust her.” Aelyn rolled her eyes.

“Of course you don’t.” She blew out a breath.

“She eluded the guild for twenty-five years. We’ve known her for a total of ten minutes, and she’s already got you doing her dirty work for her. I think we should be wary of someone who is so clearly gifted in manipulation.” Val took another long swig from his bottle.

“Gods, you’re drunk, aren’t you?” Aelyn crossed her arms over her chest.

“And? Most of my best ideas happen when I’ve been drinking.” He flashed her a cheeky grin.

“I think it’s too early to judge.” She frowned, glancing away from him.

“Do you really like her?” The question hung in the air.

“She’s a thief,” Aelyn said after a second as if that was enough of an answer.

“You partnered with a known pirate-” He attempted to counter.

“Relic hunter.” Aelyn corrected.

“No one believes that.” Val let out a derisive laugh.

“Is this some kind of pity party? Val, you left that behind. That’s not who you are anymore.”

“What do you know about who I am?” He snapped and instantly regretted his tone.

Aelyn’s gaze raised to meet his. He’d been expecting hurt or anger but found none in the blue of her eyes. What he saw unnerved him.

“Val… I…” She paused to find the words, “Everyone deserves the benefit of the doubt every once in a while.” She lowered her gaze to the floor. “It’s a choice. To believe in people. One I will continue to make, even if I know it’s a foolish choice. I’d rather be a fool than cruel.”

She sat perfectly still, her hands folded in her lap. Who was he even talking to right now? He’d never seen her like this. He let out a frustrated noise.

“Are those the only options? There are people out there who will hurt you, who will use you and leave you broken.” He leaned forward, and still, she didn’t move. The air felt thick with some unnamed emotion. 

"I've already been all those things." Aelyn met his gaze; her clear blue eyes were unwavering, and he stared back, transfixed.

It was like he was seeing her for the first time. Her mask was off and he felt the sharp, broken shards inside him echoing hers. She didn’t even flinch when she said it. She was holding that sliver of her innocence in a death grip, so tight it was cutting her. So, why was he the one feeling too seen?

“Val, you’re not-” She started, but he wouldn’t hear it, not with that look on her face. Not with all the splintered fragments of herself on display like that, offering him absolution he didn’t deserve. He shook his head, not breaking eye contact with her. It was a warning for her to stay away.

“You’re not one of those people.” She said softly.

He took a half step forward and then stopped, reconsidering. Suddenly, he opened the door and left without another word. Aelyn looked down to see the bottle of rum sitting on the little table beside the door.

Chapter Text

“I can’t wait to be back home…” Remi groaned as they climbed the steps to the main entrance of Markarth. “I’m going to get Scrap fixed right up first thing!”

“Scrap?” Val asked, looking confused.

“Her little bucket of bolts-” Aelyn smirked as she teased Remi.

“He’s a dwarven spider I fixed up. I needed a part from the workshop in the museum; now that I’ve got it, we can get him working again.” Remi cut a glare at Aelyn, who only laughed.

It was refreshing to laugh a little. Things had been entirely too tense since leaving Winterhold. Aelyn was exhausted by it. She had no idea what was going on in Val’s head since he’d walked out on her in Whiterun. She understood what she’d said had upset him but couldn’t understand why.

It was like a warm hug when they finally opened the door to the little apartment outside the Warrens. It’d been so long since the cheery light from the hearth, reflecting down the stones of the entryway, had greeted her. Aelyn paused, as did Remiel and Val. The fire was going.

“Hello?” Aelyn called tentatively.

“Aelyn?” A deep and familiar Morrowind accent called back.

Her expression changed immediately from tense and worried to wide-eyed and shocked. She stood frozen in place for a moment.

“Teldryn.” She breathed as she heard someone shuffling about. Before she could stop herself, Aelyn was running down the hall.

She nearly tackled him, throwing her arms around the Dunmer. Teldryn stood awkwardly as Aelyn held him tight. The old mercenary looked little changed by the years. He still wore his hair in the shaved mohawk that many Dunmer men did. His facial tattoos arced around each eye and then curled, cresting his sharp cheekbones and setting off the ruby color of his elven eyes.

“By Azura, you’ve grown!” He smiled at her fondly and then looked up to Remi, who also rushed to greet him. “Ah, and here comes trouble!”

“It’s been so long,” Aelyn stared up at him, “Why didn’t you send word you were going to visit?”

“You are quite difficult to track down, little one.” He ruffled her hair.

“You know we’ve been working with Auryen; you could have just sent a message to the museum.” Remi pouted. He shot her a look before pausing at the sight of a tall Nord leaning against the corner of the hall, watching the exchange.

“I smell ash-yam stew, soooo…” Remi backed away from them toward the kitchen as Teldryn shook his head, Aelyn following her.

“Oh.” Aelyn looked between Teldryn and Val for a moment. “Teldryn, this is Val Serano-” She stepped back from him, “Val, this is Teldryn Sero. He’s an old friend of ours. I’m going to make sure Remi doesn’t make something explode; I’ll be right back.” She followed Remi into the kitchen to ensure she didn’t add anything strange to the stew.

“Serano,” He tested the name out as Val reached forward to shake his hand. “That name sounds familiar. Well, it is a pleasure to meet you, Sera. Teldryn Sero at your service.”

“Likewise. Just call me Val.” He smiled easily. “I’m a Relic Hunter by trade; you probably heard of me that way.”

“Hmmm, no, I’m certain the Serano I’m thinking of was a pirate.” Teldryn assessed him knowingly as Val brushed past the poorly veiled accusation.

“How did you come by our mutual acquaintance here?” Val nodded toward the kitchen, carefully lowering his voice just enough that it didn’t carry.

“Ah, well.” He made himself comfortable, sitting on the couch as Val sat opposite him in an armchair by the hearth. “I’m a mercenary, working mostly out of Solstheim for many years now. I was following a bounty in the north of the island when I found a child half-frozen to death, hiding from the Ash Spawn in a ruined farmhouse. I brought her to Windhelm and set her on a carriage to Cyrodiil.”

Val quickly made the connection that Teldryn must have found Aelyn when she had left that temple she refused to discuss with him. That meant the mercenary had information he wanted. He decided to try his luck; perhaps the Dunmer would reveal something if he thought Val already knew the story.

“Ah, right, that must have been when she escaped from the temple.” Val nodded, and Teldryn’s brow furrowed.

“She told you about that?” Teldryn gave him a suspicious look.

“As much as she tells anyone,” Val shrugged, “She said she hadn’t been trying to hide it, but…” He trailed off, hoping the Dunmer would fill in the blank.

“Yes, it can be quite difficult for her to talk about.” Teldryn moved to rest his ankle across his knee. “It’s why I’m here, actually. Something strange has been a foot on the island recently, and I think it’s related to-”

He was cut short by the movement of someone in their periphery. Aelyn stood in the doorway from the kitchen holding two bowls of the stew Teldryn had prepared, looking venomous. The Dunmer looked between them, instantly realizing what had happened. Surprisingly, he chuckled. Teldryn stood shaking his head, taking the two bowls of stew from Aelyn and returning to the kitchen.

“Well played, Sera.” He called over his shoulder with a smirk. Aelyn waited until it was just the two of them by the hearth before starting in on Val with a low voice.

“How dare you.” She whispered.

“You’re the one withholding.” Val reminded her as if that meant anything. “You could just tell me. You said before that you weren’t trying to hide anything.” She seemed to deflate a little, but her anger was still at the forefront.

“It should still be up to me to divulge. Not for you to-to-” She waved her hand, her words failing her. Her face began to turn red; this felt like a betrayal.

“If I left it to that, you’d never tell me anything.” He stretched his arm over the back of the chair, looking slightly too relaxed for the situation.

“It’s not anything worth knowing!” She took two steps toward him, her hands clenched into fists. “I don’t understand why you even want to know to begin with!” Val focused in on her intently. He stood, so she had to crane her head to look up at him.

“I should think that’s rather obvious.” He said quietly. Aelyn paused, her chin tilting in a way that betrayed her confusion.

“Well, it’s not. I need you to tell me. Spell it out for me, Serano.” She stood up straight, ready for whatever blow he was about to deliver.

He reached out to her and let his fingertip graze the line of her jaw as he tucked her hair behind her ear. Aelyn stared up at him, and her puzzled expression gave way to something softer. She was so transfixed by the green of his eyes that she had forgotten she was angry. He cradled the side of her face in his hand, and his eyelids lowered as he leaned in toward her.

“What are you doing?” She breathed.

 It had taken less than a second for her to forget her fury and to be overtaken by a want that permeated her very bones. This was dangerous. He had an alarming power over her. She had stepped into him without thinking, her hands resting on his chest. The briefest upturn of the corner of his mouth flickered before he paused.

“Ahem,” Remi announced herself awkwardly. Aelyn’s head snapped toward her as Val froze in mid-motion. “When I didn’t hear yelling, I got worried one of you had tried to murder the other – though I see that was ill-founded.” A bark of laughter sounded from the kitchen behind her. Aelyn turned four different shades of red as Val smiled, tucking her into his side.

“Oh, ye of little faith. You underestimate me. There are better ways to resolve disagreements than yelling.” He glanced at Aelyn as she wrapped her arms around herself, her common sense coming back to her in a moment.

“I-I see.” Remi nodded, backing into the kitchen, “Dinner is ready. Uh, whenever you’re ready.” she added sheepishly.

“No, it’s fine. I think we’re done here.” Aelyn extracted herself, walking briskly into the kitchen, not making eye contact. Her mind was running miles by the moment. Hadn’t she convinced herself that they were better off not getting involved? What did he even want from her anyway? That had been stupid of her, getting pulled in again.

Val sighed and followed her, considering what he’d gleaned from Teldryn. The north of Solstheim was basically a wasteland. If his memory served correctly, there were a few outposts and some less-than-ideal spots where corsairs would hole up. He wondered if any of his contacts in Ravenrock would be of help. Remi and Teldryn carried on an easy conversation while they enjoyed the meal.

Teldryn waited patiently, leaning against the counter while they cleared the dishes. Val nodded to him before heading toward the living room. Remiel chattered about the positioning of metal rods for support while trying to accommodate space for wiring as she wandered toward her workshop, intent on getting work on Scrap. Aelyn saw him waiting and paused, keen on the fact that he wasn’t there to catch up.

“What is it?” Aelyn sat down at the table as he wandered over and sat across from her. “I assume this wasn’t a purely social call.” Teldryn sighed, tapping his finger on the table for a moment.

“No. We need to talk.” He watched as she shifted uncomfortably in her chair. “Something is happening on Solstheim.” Aelyn folded her arms across her chest. “Something suspiciously close to what happened to your parents.”

“What do you mean?” She could guess what he was talking about but needed to hear it.

“People wandering in the night, as if asleep. They wake in the morning, covered in dirt, building strange structures around the All-Maker stones. Sometimes, they do not wake at all, unable to stop until they expire or disappear.” He knew this was a difficult subject for her; Aelyn’s own parents had been victims of whatever curse was now taking root in Solstheim.

“And? I don’t see why you had to come all the way here to-” She began before he cut her off.

“They’re preparing for something.” Teldryn folded his hands, looking into her eyes. ”It’s happening in far greater numbers than ever before. The dreamers become violent if anyone attempts to dismantle the structures or disrupt their work.” Aelyn stood up quickly. “This seems like something that could become a bigger problem.” He sat patiently, waiting for her to come around.

“It doesn’t matter how much they prepare. Their Master is lost to them. I made sure of that when I took the book.” Her mind wandered to a particular tome hidden in the back of a shelf in her room, with a cover as black as night.

“Then they will come for you,” Teldryn warned.

“They’ll have to find me first. I’m not a little girl anymore; they don’t even know what I look like.” She stood up, itching to run to her room to verify the book’s location.

“You’re not that hard to find, Aelyn.” He sat patiently, watching her mull his words over. “I’m just telling you to be careful.” He began to drum his fingers on the table again. “Listen, you do what you think is right. I need to return to Solstheim and do what I can there.” Aelyn stopped pacing to face him.

“Already? You’re not going to stay?” It had been almost two years since he’d last visited. Why was it like this? Every time he walked out the door, she was left with a hollow, sinking feeling.

“I need to keep an eye on things in Ravenrock. Join me there when you can.” He stood up, heading toward the door. She followed him, looking upset. “I’m glad to see you’re well, little one.”

She stood staring at the door long after he’d walked through it. Her shoulders sagged. He hadn’t even stayed the night. She sighed, turning away to find Val giving her a contemplative look.

“What?” She asked impatiently. She needed to verify that the book was still in its hiding place.

“How about we skip the part where I pretend I wasn’t eavesdropping and jump ahead to where you explain who exactly is coming for you?” He stood up to follow her. Aelyn turned to face him briefly before turning back to her room.

“No one is coming after me.” Aelyn huffed, brushing past him and walking into her room.

“What’s happening to those people? What does it have to do with you?” Val trailed after her.

“I don’t know,” She sighed deeply. She didn’t want to remember the way her own parents had turned into shells of themselves or her father’s obsession with the All-Maker stones. “If I have to return to that wretched island in the next five lifetimes, it’ll be too soon.”

“You said you took a book.” He asked, narrowing his eyes on her. His gaze moved to the shelf behind her where he knew that black book he’d found the first time he’d come to Markarth with her was hiding.

“You’ve really got to stop listening in on other people’s conversations.” Aelyn crossed her arms over her chest. She followed his eyes to the shelf behind her. “Did you go through my books?”

“You left me unsupervised.” Val shrugged. “It’s a good thing I did, though – is that black book the one you took?” He nodded toward the shelf.

“What do you know about it?” She demanded. Would he have even understood what it was unless he’d already encountered one? A tense moment of silence passed between them. Aelyn's eyes narrowed on him as she realized that she wasn’t the only one with secrets. Val was hiding something.

“Look, it’s not important-” He started to shrug when she cut him off.

“Then neither is this.” She argued, and he stopped mid-sentence, frowning at her as he stood up straight. If he didn’t have to tell her things, then why did she have to tell him?

“Aelyn, I’d rather not have a repeat of Snow Veil Sanctum.” He folded his arms over his chest.

“This isn’t the same. I have zero intentions of ever returning to Solstheim. So whatever is happening or not happening there has nothing to do with me.” She lifted her chin; she had decided on at least that one thing.

“People are disappearing, and you’re just going to let it happen?” He stared at her with shock, that wasn't like her. A flicker of guilt flashed across her face, and it dawned on him. She was terrified. He couldn't be sure of what because she wouldn't tell him, but once he recognized it, it was impossible to miss the fear etched in every shift of her expression.

“What do you want from me?” Aelyn pushed her hair back from her face, trying to hide the slight tremor to her hand, “It’s not like I can do anything right now. Mercer is still at large, and if I return to that island, it’s more likely that things will get worse. What am I supposed to do?” She looked lost. He didn’t have a defense for those wide eyes, feeling an uncomfortable tug in the depth of his chest as she let her hands fall to her sides.

“Fine, have it your way then.” He blew out a breath as he turned and left her alone in the room.

Aelyn exhaled in relief as the door clicked shut. She went to the bookshelf and began to move stacks of spellbooks and manuals out of the way, just enough so she could lay eyes on the cover. There it was, darker than the void, right where she’d left it. Some things were better left lost, weren’t they? Besides, she had other things to do, such as breaking into Calcelmo’s tower and hunting for something to help her decipher Gallus’s journal. She needed to focus on one thing at a time.

Aelyn examined her tool kit as she pulled on a black jumpsuit. The good news was that she was already familiar with the layout of Calcelmo’s Dwemer museum. The bad news was the old elf was a shrewd miser who kept his research locked up in the tower above the museum with about twenty guards posted. She had a plan, however, that would bypass most of the problematic parts of the tower.

She slipped on a dark tunic over her jumpsuit, stowing her tools in various pockets and shouldering a length of rope and climbing gear before heading toward the door. Val and Remi were both deep in discussion in the living area when she pulled open her bedroom door.

“So you rewired it to be your pet?” Val was squatting down next to a very functional dwarven spider.  The golden automaton whirred happily as its metal legs tick-tacked against the floor.

“Yeah, I mean, he needs work. But Scrap has a mind of his own sometimes. I always wanted a pet, but I’m sure I’d forget to feed them or something.” Remi looked rather proud as Val examined Scrap with a hint of awe.

“But how did you manage to change the programmed affinity? I always wondered if something like this could be done…” He held out his hand, and Scrap delicately placed a metal leg in his palm like a pup-giving paw. Scrap unexpectedly whirred its ‘head’ in Aelyn’s direction as she attempted to sneak past them. Both Remi and Val snapped up in her direction.

“What are you-” Remi began to ask, Val already knew where she was headed.

“On your own? Again?” His brow furrowed.

“I’ll be fine; it’s easier when it’s just one person sneaking about.” Aelyn rushed past them toward the door. “I’ll be back before morning. If not, you can storm the keep.”

“Oh no!” Remiel ran to block the door, realizing she was trying to leave without them. “There is not a chance that you’re leaving me here while you break into that bastard Calcelmo’s lab.” Aelyn folded her arms over her chest but continued, “After all the grief he gave us and then firing you when we cleared out Nchuand-zel for him, he’s going to get what’s coming to him!” Val soon joined Remi.

“Yeah. What she said.” He affirmed, looking resolute. Aelyn sighed deeply.

“This makes things infinitely harder; you know that, right?” Aelyn pushed past them to the door, and they both followed her out.

“Better than not having anyone watching your back.” Val countered.

“Fine. But you need to bail at the first sign of trouble.” Aelyn bit the inside of her lip, frowning.

“It’s adorable when you try to tell me what to do.” Val laughed, pulling the length of rope from her shoulder to carry.

Aelyn led them toward the North side of Understone Keep, Scrap tinkering along behind Remi as Val kept an easy pace next to her. Calcemo’s lab was on the top floor of the keep, in a tower that jut out from the mountainside. On either side were large waterfalls that poured out of rock face with a single exterior walkway that connected the tower to the main Keep. Aelyn slid into a small crevice in the rock, hidden from the view of the main streets. There was barely enough room for just her, but Remi managed to squeeze in, while Val stood watching for any passing guards. Aelyn began to unbind the rope.

“Wait, you didn’t say we were climbing.” Remiel suddenly looked nervous. Aelyn smirked.

“You can still turn back.” She made a makeshift seat harness with the rope and attached a large steel clip to the front.

“I’m not missing out on getting one over on that bastard.” Remiel still had a sore spot when it came to Calcelmo. Aelyn turned toward her, quickly mirroring her own harness on Remi. Once she was satisfied with her work, Aelyn faced a grinning Val.

“You.. can tie your own.” Aelyn moved toward the rockface.

“What? You’re not going to help me with my harness?” He teased as she began looking for a route up the rock face.

“Weren’t you a sailor? You’ll be fine.” Aelyn glanced toward Scrap pensively. “Remi – do you think Scrap could drill some anchors for us? On the way up?” Remi beamed, excited for her little pet to have a role to play.

“Yes! Yes, he absolutely can! Can’t you Scrap? My beautiful little boy, you can do that, right?” Remi patted Scrap as it whirred left and right, extending a leg for Aelyn to place anchors on.

Scrap wasted no time, scaling the rock, the tip of one of its forelegs splaying open to reveal a little drill. A quiet, high-pitched noise was muffled by the roar of falling water from the nearby falls as Scrap drilled into the stone. The anchor was placed in seconds, and a rope fell toward Remi, Val, and Aelyn, who were waiting below. Aelyn grinned.

Finding her first hold, Aelyn lifted herself up, following the path Scrap had laid out for them. Val followed closely behind her while practically hauling Remiel behind him. The mist from the waterfall was mildly problematic, making the stone slick in certain spots and causing Aelyn to slip more than once. Luckily, the rope was already tethered. That didn’t stop Val from instinctively reaching out to catch her around the thigh, robbing her harness of the chance to do its job properly.

She had expected a snarky comment or some blatant pass at her, but instead, he had just said,

‘Be careful.’ With a frown before lifting her back up.

She’d underestimated his strength, which had her blushing for some unnamed reason. It made sense; he must have spent most of his life climbing through the rigging of the Dark Rose, moving cargo, fighting, or… She shook her head. Later. They needed to get through this task first. Maybe she’d needle him on the finer points of ship life later, but now, she needed to focus.

Aelyn felt more than a little winded as she pulled herself up over the stone ledge at the top where Scrap was waiting patiently. Val was close behind her, barely out of breath, turning around immediately to haul Remi up and over the ledge. Remiel gasped for air, trying not to groan as she struggled to her feet.

“What… a … good boy… Scrap.” She patted the metal spider affectionately. “Let me… check you... over…”

“Scrap?” Val hissed. “I basically carried you up here. How are you so out of breath?” Aelyn popped up, grinning. She patted Val on the head, mimicking Remi.

“Oh, Val, what a good boy you are!” She held back a laugh as she inched around the rockface toward the walkway.

Val snatched the harness still around her waist and yanked; Aelyn stifled a little yelp as she flew backward into his chest. He wrapped one arm around her, holding her against him as he slid his fingers just under the rope tied snugly around her in a way that made her blood burn before reaching the metal clip in the front. He began to unwind the makeshift harness slowly. She made a move to step away from him, but he tugged her back against him easily.

“Val, we don’t have time for your antics.” Her heart was racing; Remi was just around the corner behind them; unknown dangers lurked within the tower ahead of them, and for some reason, he smelled even better after a seventy-meter climb. His touch glanced along her backside and over her hip as he loosened the rope, and she was instantly sucking in the air, skin prickling, her face flushing.

“We have time for your little quips, though?” His breath was hot on her ear, and there was no hiding the shiver that shot through her. “You’d better behave, Aelyn. Or I might have to demonstrate how to really tie a harness on you.” He pulled the rope as it unraveled, and she gasped. It burned against the inside of her thigh as he yanked it free; she stumbled toward the walkway. She attempted to turn toward him, her brow furrowed and a reprimand on her lips, but he promptly faced her forward just as Remi inched around the corner.

“I… I might be afraid of heights.” Remi whimpered as Scrap tick-tacked against the rock just behind her.

Chapter Text

Aelyn climbed over the railing onto the walkway that connected the main keep and Calcelmo’s tower. Val, Remi, and Scrap followed closely behind. Strangely, the walkway was completely unguarded. The hair in the back of her next stood on end as she quickly and silently approached the tower entrance while Scrap tinkered along on the stones behind them.

Aelyn paused, pressing her ear to the door to the tower. Hearing nothing, she tried the latch, which stubbornly resisted her. She pulled out her lockpicking kit and kneeled by the door, the rope burns on her thigh protesting. She glared at Val, who watched her shift around her leg to get comfortable before getting to work with a satisfied smirk.

Aelyn slid the small file and pick into the keyway. It was a little puzzle. Only just the right amount of patience, a gentle but firm and guiding touch, would get the job done. She felt the pins lift with a small smile.

The door swung open to a dark and silent tower. A light from above shone on a dais before them, steps leading up to its pinnacle on three sides where a massive stone sat, illuminated. A set of brass doors behind the stone led deeper into the tower.

“I think that stone is probably what we’re looking for. If I were to make any wagers, that is.” Remi smiled. There were no guards in the tower. It was strictly off-limits to everyone.

As they climbed the steps up to the stone, Aelyn could see that one side was Dwemeris while the other was written in the same strange language as Gallus’ journal.

“Let’s find something to copy it down with; I think you’re right. This is exactly what we need.” Aelyn grinned, pushing open the doors to the laboratory.

“While you ladies handle that, I’m going to see if there’s anything of value in here. There’s no way we came all this way just to translate a journal.” Val smirked and headed further inside while Remi and Aelyn collected parchment and charcoal and got to work.

Scrap busily copied one side of the stone while Aelyn and Remi worked diligently on the other. The Falmer-Dwemeris cipher needed both sides to make any sense. Aelyn started with the top half and worked toward the mid-point where Remi had started. The two of them were hopefully as fast as Scrap, who barely lifted the charcoal in its little claw from the paper as it whirred along.

“So, you and Val?” Remiel indelicately broached the subject. Aelyn’s hand slipped slightly before recovering.

“I’m not sure that’s how I’d put it.” She muttered, her brow furrowing as she attempted to concentrate on their work.

“Well, it seemed like you were getting rather close-” Remiel began to retort before Aelyn promptly cut her off.

“Remi, we’re a little busy.” Aelyn brushed the topic aside.

“Oh, come on, no one’s here anyway. Besides, when I suggested it before, you put up all that bravado about ‘I don’t do relationships.’ So, what’s it like? You guys kissed, didn’t you? That’s why you’ve both been all weird?” Remi looked up at Aelyn, who sat a little higher on the dais than she did.

“Remi-” Aelyn let out a breath, already knowing where this was headed.

“What’s physically arousing about having someone’s tongue in your mouth? Ugh, just the idea of someone’s tongue touching mine grosses me out. I just don’t understand how that does anything. I can at least understand that sex might be appealing as there’s a stimulus to the nerves, but kissing confuses me. Why do people want to put their mouths on each other? It’s so strange.” Remi continued to copy down the cipher flawlessly as Aelyn grasped for an explanation.

“Well, you know you can feel a little breathless and warm, " she began, but Remi quickly interjected.

“So mild asphyxiation and heat stress turns you on?” Remi paused, looking at her friend with a perplexed expression.

“No, not like that, well-I guess? You’re making it sound weird.” Aelyn shook her head, now also confused about what made kissing enjoyable. 

“I can’t believe Val was the one who broke your hands-off policy,” Remi remarked, still pursuing the topic.

“It wasn’t Val,” Aelyn said, and Remi’s head snapped toward her.

“WHA-” Her words were cut short as Aelyn clamped a hand over her mouth to keep Remi from yelling. They both froze, listening. Hearing no one alerted to their presence, Aelyn released her. “What do you mean it wasn’t Val?”

“It was Brynjolf.” She sighed; it still stung a little to admit it. She hadn’t even wanted to get involved with the thief to begin with.

“That redhead from the Thieves Guild?” Remi gasped, then nodded in understanding. “I mean, I could see the appeal there. He is what I think would be considered physically attractive, to say the least. What happened with him? Did you kiss him? Did you sleep with him?”

“I didn’t sleep with him.” Aelyn rolled her eyes; this wasn’t something she wanted to discuss.

“Oh.” She sounded disappointed. “So, you only kissed him?” Remi waited, then started to grin at Aelyn’s silence. “So, you didn’t only kiss him?!”

“Remi, I really don’t want to talk about it.” She was trying to keep the frustration out of her voice and failing. She couldn’t say she liked where any of the pieces lay between her, Val, or Brynjolf. What Brynjolf had done still stung, and Aelyn worried that meant she cared about it. She didn't want to care about it. She hadn’t had any hopes or expectations walking into the situation with him, but it hurt that he’d taken advantage of her and used her to his own ends. It made her afraid. Was she walking into something similar with Val? He didn’t have the most promising record. It felt hypocritical to have told him he wasn’t like Brynjolf and then be afraid he was going to something similar in the end. Then again, she’d seen how he treated his interests, and while it felt like things were different between them now, he had also tried it on her when they first began traveling together.

“I just want to understand. I don’t have anyone else to ask about this. You know I’m not normal when it comes to this stuff.” Remi watched her pause and then sat back on her heels.

“What’s normal anyway? There’s nothing wrong with you, Remi.” Aelyn said slowly.

“You say that, but statistically, I must tell you, I think you’re wrong." Remiel continued without pausing. "When ninety percent of the population experiences something in largely the same manner, and you’re part of the ten percent or less that doesn’t, I would call that a deviation from the standard and therefore not ‘normal.’”  It didn’t outwardly seem to bother her much. It was a fact of her world, but Aelyn watched her with a frown.

“There’s no standard to any experience.” Aelyn laid a hand on Remi's shoulder, momentarily drawing her attention away from their work. “You’re looking at it all wrong. There is no more or less value to any experience; everyone's experience is valid, even yours. Intimacy is different for everyone. They’re all deviations from one another. Just because you don’t have the same physical feelings someone else does, doesn’t mean it’s less than.” Remiel was quiet for a moment as they both resumed their work. The only sounds were generated by Scrap, moving incessantly, and the shifting of paper.

“Soooo…Between Brynjolf and Val,” Remi began, hoping for more information.

“I’m not ranking them for you.” Aelyn shook her head firmly, already knowing what Remi was about to ask.

“Oh, come on!” Remi threw her hands up as the door behind them clicked shut. Neither of them had heard it even open, and the sound made them both jump. Remiel slid down the dais a step as Aelyn dropped her charcoal and fell backward in surprise.

“Yeah, come on. Rank us.” Val stood there looking less than amused. How long had he been standing there? Aelyn blanched turning back to her work with a swiftness.

“I wouldn’t dare feed your ego anymore. We’d need a second carriage for it.” She muttered, focused intently away from him. Val crouched down next to the stone, grinning.

“Well, that’s the answer enough for me.” His eyes sparkled with mischief as he picked up a spare piece of parchment. “You know there’s a faster way to do this, right?”

“I’m sure we’d be doing it if there was.” Remiel stood up, dusting herself off.

Val took the charcoal from Aelyn’s hand and pressed the parchment against the stone. He began to rub the charcoal across it. The depressions on the stone turned white against the black background, filled in by the charcoal. Aelyn gasped, realizing what he was doing; she rushed to hold one side of the paper steady so Val could work. Remi grasped the other as Scrap clicked against the stone near her, his work finished, the Dwemeris copy safely clutched in his pincers. It took no time at all to complete the rubbing, and it was only moments before Val promptly rolled up the parchment, looking more than a little satisfied with himself.

“That should do it!” He announced, leading the way toward the entrance of the tower. “I can’t believe you wasted so much time trying to copy that stone. We would have been here all night.”

“Yes, yes, you’re so clever, Val.” Remi rolled her eyes, nearly walking into the door as it opened. "Did you find anything worthwhile in the tower?"

Val pulled her back, the door swung open, and in stepped an elderly-looking Altmer. His gaze was focused down, and he mumbled to himself. Calcelmo had come from bed; his grey pajamas, sleeping cap, and purple robe indicated as much. He took two full steps toward them before he paused, finally seeming to sense another presence, and looked up. His deep gold eyes went wide.

“You!” Was all he managed to gasp out before Remi, who yelped in surprise, struck him with the heel of her palm under his chin. The elf staggered before falling to the floor unconscious. Aelyn and Val stared between Remi and the incapacitated Mer for a moment. Even Scrap whirred left and right, tilting in what seemed to be confusion.

“Let’s go?!” Remi squeaked, flinging the door open.  

“We don’t have time to climb back down. Give the parchment to Scrap; he can scale the rock faster and meet us at the bottom. We have to find another way.” Aelyn turned right just outside the door toward a small ledge covered in shrubs.

“What other way?” Val asked, following her after handing the rolled-up parchment to Scrap, who immediately tinkered off toward the rock face they had scaled earlier.

“Oh no, Aelyn, no.” Remi immediately began to back-pedal.

“We don’t have time. We’re going to have to jump.” Aelyn nodded toward the waterfall; a small stone lip protruded from the pathway just enough to give a clear path down. Val laughed.

“Don’t threaten me with a good time.” He grinned.

“Aelyn, no. I can’t jump, it’s too high!” Remi started to back away.
"Remi, come on. We don't have time for this. Calcelmo could wake up at any second," Aelyn urged her friend.

Remiel looked as though she was committed to turning and fleeing when Val abruptly hoisted her into the air. She yelped as he threw her over his shoulder and took a running jump off the ledge. Aelyn listened to Remiel’s scream all the way down, until they hit the water below. She braced herself. It wasn’t her first choice of exit, but Calcelmo would be waking up any moment and they needed not to be there when that happened. He may have been an old man, and thankfully, Remi had gotten the drop on him, much to everyone’s surprise, but he was still a dangerous and powerful wizard. She sprinted toward the ledge and threw herself into the air, freefalling toward the water below.

Chapter Text

Val pulled in a lungful of crisp air, hauling Remi along toward the water's edge. Remiel gasped, climbing onto the rocks as Val pushed her onto the shore. The force of the waterfall had rolled them when they had plunged into the icy depths, pulling them under. He’d had to fight the current to bring them to the surface. Aelyn hit the water moments after they surfaced. Val waded back into the shallows to help pull her to safety. He smirked at her, and she let out an anxious laugh; it had been quite the fall. The three sat there, momentarily catching their breath, before Remi turned angrily toward Val.

“You bastard! You crazy bastard! You tried to kill me!” Remi landed hit after hit until Val grabbed her hands, forcing her to still.

“Knock it off! There wasn’t time! We have to get moving.” He dragged her to her feet.

“I can move on my own; I’m not luggage!” Remi seethed, her face red with anger.

“Then move faster.” Val shoved her toward the walkway; they needed to be gone before the alarm sounded.

“Are you alright, Remi?” Aelyn asked, her head feeling a little fuzzy and waterlogged.

“You’re crazy! You’re both crazy!” Remi hopped over the walkway rail, followed by Val and Aelyn. “Let’s get Scrap.” She grumbled.

“Yeah, let’s get Scrap.” Aelyn’s teeth began to chatter. “We’ll stop by the apartment for dry clothes, but we need to get out of Markarth. Let’s make for Winterhold tonight, we need to get the cipher to Enthir.” Remiel stomped away from them, in a hurry to retrieve Scrap, when Aelyn caught Val, giving her a strange look. “What is it?”

“Nothing. You’re just… very capable.” He seemed lost in thought, mulling the fact over.

Aelyn schooled her expression. He might have meant it as a compliment, or maybe he was stating a fact. It just reminded her of getting left behind. An image of Teldryn’s back as he walked away flickered into her mind, and she quickly put it away.  

“I was on my own for a long time.” Aelyn turned away intent on catching up to Remi. "Now, let’s get some dry clothes and get out of this city.”

After stopping by the little flat, they set out into the night on foot. The carriages wouldn't start running until the sun rose. Scrap hid in Remi's backpack as they trudged along in the dark. It was slow going, as the nighttime roads weren't safe. They were extra vigilant for anything waiting on the byways. Frequent attacks from brigands and Forsworn plagued the Reach. 

They took the road northeast out of Markarth, making for Rorikstead. The sooner they were out of the Reach, the better. Aelyn didn't want to risk stopping overnight in Karthwasten, eagerly pressing on toward the plains of Whiterun Hold. It was the small hours before dawn when she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. Aelyn stopped abruptly, garnering the tired attention of both Remiel and Val. They were approaching a crossroads, with an abandoned cart sitting right in the middle of the roads.

"What is it?" Val's voice came from over her shoulder, gruff with fatigue, followed by a disembodied groan from Remi.

"I think-" She didn't get to finish her sentence as an arrow flew out of the dark and sank into her shoulder. 

"Aelyn!" Val shouted, catching her as the force of the impact knocked her backward into him. 

In the growing light, three bandits stepped out into the crossroads as the road out of the Reach met up with the one that ran from Solitude to Whiterun. None of them were armed with a bow. Another arrow came whistling from behind an outcropping for rocks, striking the dirt at Remi's feet. 

"Ummm, Val!" Remi yelled in a panic. Aelyn stood up, unsheathing her dagger, fury written on her face, but staggering to the side.  

"You'll wish you were never born," Val snarled, the violence in his voice cutting into the dark as he unsheathed his cutlass. 

"We don't want any trouble, just die quietly." The bandit in front laughed, his grin missing a couple of teeth, his dark eyes glittering until he saw the lighting gathering in Val's hand. 

"Get her off the road," Val barked to Remi, who made an exasperated noise as Aelyn was already climbing the nearby rocks with one arm. 

Val let loose the arc of lightning, striking the bandit to the leader's left flank as he rushed forward. The leader barely had time to react, weakly deflecting his blow as the man on his right flank raised his sword, ready to strike down into Val's shoulder. Val gripped the man's face in his palm, releasing a torrent of electricity into him; the man's ears popped and ran red, his flesh sizzled, and the smell of blood and burning hair stung Val's nose. 

Aelyn perched on a small ledge above the crossroads, trying to spot the archer. Another arrow flew toward Val but stuck into the back of the man whose face he was still holding as he fended off the leader. Remi was close on her tail, trying to get her to slow down. Her boot slipped in something wet, and it took a second for her to realize it wasn't the morning dew settling on the rocks but Aelyn's blood.

Aelyn refused leave Val without some sort of cover and couldn't see where the archer was hiding. She stood up, planting her feet, gritting her teeth as she let heat drum up through her body. Aelyn focused on the outcropping of rocks from which the arrows seemed to originate. She'd turn the ridge to glass if she couldn't single him out. Fire sprung up on the other side of the crossroads, searing along the entire ridge in a raging inferno. The telltale screams of someone burning alive echoed through the crossroads as the flames grew hotter and higher. 

Gods, it felt... good. The blaze burned, changing from orange to white, with licks of purple and blue. The rocks cracked and popped, no one was screaming anymore. 

"Aelyn!" Remi called to her, but she was watching the fire burn almost as if in a trance. "Aelyn, stop! You're bleeding out!" Remi gripped her shoulder, and she seemed to come back to herself, staring at the fire in horror as it burned out of control. 

"Shit! Shit!" Aelyn panicked, trying to recall the flames.

It was too late; they were beyond her power. She wobbled, shaking, slipping on the stone, her tunic soaked in blood from where the arrow was still sticking out of her shoulder. She was too distressed, too weak to call the flames back. Val stood with three bodies at his feet, staring up at her standing on the rock. His expression was a cold mask of neutrality. Her vision blurred, and ice cold crept up her arms and the back of her neck. Remi grabbed her, pulling her backward, sliding down the rock as Aelyn lost consciousness. 

When she came to, she was on a hay mattress covered in furs. Her shoulder was screaming. The sounds of rain hitting the building filtered through the wooden structure. Val sat in a chair next to her, reading a book he'd likely swiped from Remi. 'The Ruins of Kemel-Ze' was scrawled along the spine. The scene was disorientingly peaceful compared to what she had recalled. Aelyn shifted with a groan. 

"You awake?" Val asked, his eyes not leaving the page before him. 

"What happened?" She wasn't sure she wanted to know, but, Gods, that fire had been out of control. 

"You got very lucky." Val sighed and closed the book partially, his green eyes inspecting her as she struggled to sit up. "The flames died down a good bit when you lost consciousness. Then it started pouring, which was great for putting out the fire but carrying you here in the freezing rain was a shit show."

"Sorry." Aelyn sighed. He was right; she'd been too reckless. "Where's Remi?" 

"Washing your blood out of her clothes." He said flatly.

"You're mad." She concluded quietly, and Val let out a deep breath. 

"No... Yes." He grumbled. "I had it in hand. A couple of bandits? Against me? Seriously? All you needed to do was not get shot again."

"I was trying to make sure you didn't get shot!" Aelyn glared. 

"Well, congratulations; your forest fire prevented that!" His voice rose to match hers.

"You're welcome." She snapped. 

"Thank you." His words had a similarly sharp edge. A long moment passed, and they pointedly did not look at one another before he spoke again, "Do you just not care about your life?" 

"What?" The question stunned her a little. 

"Do you just not care what happens to you? Remi was slipping down the rock in your blood. She was terrified; you were cold as ice." His eyes narrowed on her. Aelyn's gaze dropped to her hands. 

"I... What does it matter what happens to me?" Aelyn turned her head toward the wall. Val opened his mouth to say something when the door opened. Remi walked in, her eyes growing wide and her face blanching with relief to see Aelyn awake.  The bowl of water and bandages slipped from her hands. 

"By Sheor, what were you thinking?! I was so scared you weren't going to wake up!" Her eyes watered as she tried to collect the bandages, fumbling over her own hands as she sat on the edge of Aelyn's bed. Val snapped the book he'd been reading shut. 

"That's why it matters." He bit out before walking out of the room.

They stayed overnight in Rorikstead at the Frost Fruit Inn. Miralki was an excellent host and even had the town healer - an elder Breton named Juoan, take a look at Aelyn's shoulder. Remi was mumbling something about the suspicious lack of women in the town but earned nothing but cold glares from the townsfolk.  

The journey back to Winterhold was slow and cold. Much like their first trip there, the wind cut across the open tundra with a vicious chill. Scrap’s little joints kept icing over; it was all Remi could do to keep him moving. Aelyn had told Remi to leave him behind, but she’d insisted on the little spider coming along. Scrap hid in Remiel’s backpack to keep the frost off. The Frozen Hearth Inn was a welcome sight after the long trip; even with the bad draft inside, it was still leagues warmer than the night air in the frozen north.

Enthir and Karliah were waiting for them in the basement, away from prying eyes. The Bosmer’s head snapped up at their approach, a grin breaking across his face. Karliah’s amethyst gaze narrowed on them, but she said nothing.

“Back, eh? And how was our friend Calcelmo?” Enthir nudged Karliah with his elbow, and her tense glare relaxed slightly.

“Eh… Sleepy.” Aelyn cleared her throat, handing the rubbing and Scrap’s copied notes to Enthir.

“I suppose it would be inappropriate of me to ask how you obtained this, so I simply won't." He chuckled a little before examining the parchment. "A rubbing, eh? Odd. I expected notes."

“It’s quite the tale.” Val found a beam to lean against not far from where Enthir had a small table set up.

“Right, give me some time while I translate this.” Enthir sat down at the table and began transcribing the journal. Moments went by with only the sound of Enthir’s pen scratching the parchment. After the better part of an hour, he finally put down his pen, and ink splotches covered the side of his hand.

"Hmm. This is intriguing but highly disturbing.” Enthir blew out a breath as he stood up. “It appears that Gallus had suspicions about Mercer Frey's allegiance to the Guild for months. Gallus had begun to uncover what he calls an ‘...unduly lavish lifestyle replete with spending vast amounts of gold on personal pleasures.’"

"Does the journal say where this wealth came from?" Karliah moved to stand beside him, peering at the journal.

"Yes. Gallus seemed certain that Mercer had been removing funds from the Guild's treasury without anyone's knowledge." His voice was solemn, and the answer to Gallus’s death lay in his hands.

"Anything else, Enthir? Anything about... the Nightingales?" Karliah pressed. At this, Aelyn stepped closer. There was that word again, Nightingale. Karliah was hiding something important. Enthir flipped through a few pages in the journal, certain he’d seen the phrase there.

"Hmm. Yes, here it is. The last few pages seem to describe "the failure of the Nightingales," although it doesn't go into great detail.” Enthir flipped another page, “Gallus also repeatedly mentions his strong belief that Mercer desecrated something known as the Twilight Sepulcher."

"Shadows preserve us. So, it's true..." Karliah’s face drained of color, her words barely above a whisper.

"I'm not familiar with the Twilight Sepulcher.” Enthir flipped a few more pages as if the answer was hiding in the journal somewhere. “What is it? What's Mercer Frey done?"

"I'm sorry, Enthir, I can't say. All that matters is that we deliver your translation to the Guild immediately.” Kaliah took the journal from him carefully. “Farewell, Enthir... words can't express..."

"It's alright, Karliah. You don't have to say a word." Enthir remarked fondly. He gathered up his stray materials. “I have some business at the college; feel free to rest up here before you head to Riften.” He nodded toward an area with a small cot and a bed set up before heading for the door.

"We must hasten to Riften before Mercer can do any more damage to the Guild," Karliah spoke as the door closed behind Enthir.

"Gallus's journal mentioned the ‘Twilight Sepulcher.’" Val folded his arms over his chest, keen on this new piece of information.

"You've come this far, so I see no harm in concealing it any longer. The Twilight Sepulcher is the temple to Nocturnal. It's what the Nightingales are sworn to protect with their lives." Karliah explained.

"Why does it require that type of protection?" Aelyn suspected that Mercer had taken something of great importance to Nocturnal. The decline of the guild, Karliah being ousted, Gallus’s death, and Mercer’s attempt to kill her all pointed to it.

"Everything that represents Nocturnal's influence is contained within the walls of the Sepulcher. Now it seems Mercer's broken his oath with Nocturnal and defiled the very thing he swore to protect." Karliah was telling them just enough, but only part of the story.

"Thieves and temples. It just doesn't add up." Aelyn prodded, suspicious of Karliah’s answer. This woman was slippery.

"I felt the same way when Gallus first revealed these things to me. I think, given time, you'll understand what I mean." Cryptic. Karliah had evaded an actual answer once again.

"I'd understand better if less mystery was involved." Aelyn took a step forward, and Karliah didn’t flinch.

"As a Nightingale, I've been sworn to secrecy regarding the Sepulcher.” Karliah took a step toward Aelyn, her mismatched amethyst eyes open wide. Holding her gaze, she reached to hold Aelyn’s hands in front of them. “I know the Guild doesn't do much to foster faith, but I'm going to have to ask that you continue to trust me.” Aelyn frowned.

"Very well, we do it your way for now." Aelyn sighed, looking away, and Karliah smiled as she let go.

“Oh, come on,” Val muttered under his breath. Was it really that easy to get under Aelyn’s skin? He blew out a breath, frustrated he hadn’t thought to try it first.

"I'll make for Riften and scout the situation; see if I can discover what Mercer's up to. When you're ready, meet me at the Ragged Flagon. I know you’ve just traveled from Markarth and are likely in need of rest. In the meantime, I wanted you to have this. It belonged to Gallus, but given the circumstances, I think he'd approve." Karliah unstrapped a belt from her hip, holding out a short sword with an ornately fashioned hilt to her.

"I'll put it to good use." Aelyn took the blade tentatively, looking up to Karliah, who seemed resolute in the decision. She pulled the sword free from its sheath, revealing a blade that was a sliver of midnight. Ebony. It was a rare material, but the sword's edge was razor-sharp.

"If the Guild isn't willing to listen to reason, you might have to." Karliah nodded and swiftly left the three of them in the basement. Val immediately turned to Aelyn.

“I can’t believe you fell for that. She’s obviously holding out on us.” His words came out in a rush.

“And what do you suppose we do about it? It doesn’t change anything either way.” Aelyn sat on the edge of the bed in the sleeping area nearby.

“We’re walking into a life-threatening situation on her behalf, I think we deserve the whole story,” Val argued, following her so that he stood before Aelyn as she looked up at him.

“It’s not just for her.” Aelyn’s voice was suddenly cold. It seemed to suck all the warmth out of the room with it. Val felt his skin prickle, and even Remi shivered.

“What does that mean?” He asked slowly, not recognizing the look in her eyes for what it was.

“I want Mercer.” She punctuated each word, and then he realized what he was seeing. It looked so foreign on her face, but it was clear as day what she wanted. Revenge. Hadn’t she seen where that had gotten him? Before he could say anything, Remi piped up.

“I agree. He needs to pay. He tried to kill you!” Remi sat on the cot across from Aelyn.

“Wait, are you sure about this? We could walk away from the guild. Right now.” Val motioned to the door. Everyone thought she was dead; it would be the perfect time to disappear. But they would be leaving Karliah high and dry against the guild. Aelyn being alive was part of Karliah’s proof. Aelyn shook her head.

“I’m not running.” She gripped the edge of the bed frame so tightly that her knuckles turned white.  Val nodded.

“I'm not against it; I just don’t want you to regret your choice later. I'm with you.” He was living with that regret, and he saw the look of understanding flash across her face, but then her eyes hardened.

“I won’t regret killing him.” She assured him. “We should get some rest; we’ll leave for Riften in the morning.”

Val looked between the cot and the bed. Aelyn opened her mouth to speak, but Val was already climbing into the bed and taking his boots off.

“Uh, I think Remi and I should take the bed.” Aelyn interrupted. Val was undeterred, snuggling down beneath the fur blanket.

“I don’t mind sharing, but I’m sleeping in the bed.” Val shifted, getting comfortable.

“If you don’t mind, I’d rather sleep by myself. I’ll take the cot.” Remi gave Aelyn a pleading look, and she huffed and then nodded.

“Don’t be like that. It’s not the first time we’ve snuggled up together. Remember Whiterun?” Val grinned, holding the blanket open for her, and Aelyn somewhat begrudgingly crawled into bed next to him.

“I do remember Whiterun; that’s the problem.” She tried to push the awkward situation she’d woken up to that morning from her head. Aelyn turned so she was facing away from him, careful not to let their bodies touch. Remi had tucked herself in and was turned away from them; at the first soft snore from Remi, Val’s arm suddenly wrapped around Aelyn as he pulled her flush against him.

“What are you doing?” She hissed, gripping the bed like a cat that didn’t want to be moved.

“Shhh, just preparing myself in case you decide to roll away with the blanket again.” He assured her.

“Val-” She started to complain; her heart was racing. Something about his proximity always seemed to set her off.

“I’ll behave. Well, I’ll try.” He was teasing her, his breath hot against her neck.

“I can’t sleep like this. You're too close.” She whined under her breath.

“Aw, but it's so cozy. Why, feeling anxious?” He asked into her ear.

“Yes.”

“I like the idea of your heart racing because of me.” He let his hand wander suggestively up her side.

“Val!” Aelyn shoved away from him, and he chuckled.

“Okay, okay, I’ll be good. I wasn’t going to do much with Remi right there, anyway. You’d be too loud.” He muttered, letting the statement hang in the air. She knew better; she should have just let it go but couldn’t.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Aelyn turned to face him in the dark.

“You were moaning just from a kiss before; imagine the noises you’d make if I had my hands on you.” Val grinned; she let out a little gasp. The image of exactly where she wanted his hands flashed through her mind without warning. Her whole body buzzed at the thought of how he'd touch her. "You'd wake Remi for sure." He whispered against her cheek as his fingertips lazily ran up and down her side before they stilled. She felt his breath against her lips, but they didn't connect. Every inch of her was utterly aware of him. He pulled away; disappointment soured her.

“Sweet dreams,” He whispered and turned away. Aelyn frowned at his back; she’d walked right into that. If she thought sleep would evade her before, there was no doubt for her now that tomorrow would be a very long day.

Chapter Text

It wasn’t uncommon for there to be a few warm days. Last Seed usually saw the remainder of them in places like Winterhold, where the cold crept in early. It was generally one of the hottest months, especially early on. The sun was out, and the snow was melting, creating little streams that sloshed across the hard pack of the road—a stark difference from the unseasonable cold they’d experienced on their way there.

“Of course, the weather turns nice as we’re leaving.” Val stretched out in the carriage.

Remi sat against the back of the carriage, snacking, with her nose in a book and Scrap at her feet. Aelyn stared out over the open tundra, dark circles under her eyes, lost in thought.  Val sighed and shifted restlessly, the overwhelming quiet getting to him. He turned his face up toward the sun, letting the warm rays soak in. He sighed again, louder this time, feeling a creeping boredom settling over him. His eyes settled on Aelyn, and a devious smirk bloomed across his face.

“Sleep well?” He grinned. Aelyn’s gaze shifted toward him momentarily, then back out over the tundra.

“Don’t start teasing me just because you’re bored.” She muttered. He laughed and shifted closer to her.

“You seem tense.” He began to fiddle with a lock of her hair.

“What are you, a schoolboy with a crush? Are you going to start pulling my hair next?” Aelyn scoffed, tugging her hair from his grasp.

“Would you like that?” He asked softly, smiling as the tell-tale blush turned the tip of her ear bright pink.

“You know, this may come as a surprise to you, but my purpose in life isn’t to be a source of entertainment for you.” She was tired and cranky, and he damn well knew why. He was only bothering her because he was feeling restless, having to sit still in the carriage.

“What a shame.” He was whispering in her ear, threading his fingers through her hair. “You’re already so entertaining.”

“Stop it; Remi is right there.” Aelyn hissed, pulling away from him.

“Oh, come on, she’s not even paying attention. Watch.” Val sat up, “Remi, Remi.” He called, but she didn’t even look up, eating apple slices and reading in an almost trance-like state. “Remi!” Val called again but still received no response. “See?” He sidled closer to Aelyn once more.

“What do you want, Val?” She asked with a deep sigh, and he smiled widely.

“Oh, plenty of things, but right now, let me help you relax a little. You’re so tense all the time.” His hand began to work up the back of her neck.

“You’re half the reason why I’m tense.” She glared. “What are you doing?” He started working his fingers against her scalp, gently massaging the back of her head. He let his thumb run up the back of her neck, watching her eyes droop as he did so. She submitted, letting her head rest against her forearm, and Val laughed.

“It’s all right to feel good, you know?” He smiled, watching her eyes flutter closed as he pressed through a particularly tense spot.

“If you keep that up, I’m going to fall asleep.” She mumbled with her eyes still closed.

“So, fall asleep. I’ll lend you my shoulder. Or my lap.” He cooed, smiling at the satisfaction he got from bringing her guard down. She was exhausted but still peeked at him suspiciously.

“You’ll behave?” She moved tentatively closer to him.

“No promises," His smirk was criminal, rolling his eyes at her hesitation, "Just get over here.” He pulled her under his arm, so she was tucked into his side, her head resting against his chest.

She was too tired to feel anxious over being pressed against him. The warmth of his body seeped into her, and combined with the steady beat of his heart; she was lulled to sleep. The last thing she recalled was his fingers running through her hair, and she was strangely reminded of someone petting a cat.

Her resting against him seemed to stave off his boredom for a while. He reveled in a sense of achievement, and maybe he liked the way her hair felt in his fingers, too. It wasn’t long before a familiar restlessness began to nag at him. His hand was against her scalp, and she was peacefully asleep. He wondered what face she’d make if he pulled just a little.

He tightened his grip just barely. Nothing. He frowned, maybe a little harder. He tried again, his grip a little tighter this time. She let out a breath, something like a sigh. Interesting. He wondered if she’d do it again. He tried once more, and this time, her brow raised like maybe she was surprised.

“Val.” She whimpered softly.

He paused. Was she dreaming about him? Oh, what that was going to do for his ego if that was the case. He tugged again, and her brows bent downward. She huffed another breath. No, no, he wanted her to say his name again. He tried again, tugging a little harder. A little harder was, incidentally, quite hard, and Aelyn’s eyes snapped open.

“Ow!” She sat up, holding the back of her head. “What was that for?” She demanded, glaring at him.

“You seemed to like it.” Val shrugged.

“What is wrong with you?!” Aelyn went to scoot away from him, but he pulled her back.

“You were dreaming so sweetly, and the way you said my name was rather nice.” He whispered against her temple and then pulled back to watch as she turned three different shades of red. So, she had been dreaming about him. “Was it a good dream?”

“You’re insufferable.” Aelyn crossed her arms over her chest, pointedly not looking at him.

“I’ll assume it was.” He grinned, letting his arm rest across the back for the carriage seat.

“Maybe I just knew it was you harassing me in my sleep!” She rubbed the back of her head.

“Was it?” He asked while she sat there silently. He grinned at her non-response. At least she knew better than to try and outright lie to him. “Maybe you’ll tell me about it sometime.”

The carriage stopped overnight in Kynesgrove, to avoid delays from staying in Windhelm. All carriages were subject to inspection in Windhelm, per the Jarl’s orders. Accommodations might have been better within the city, but no one complained.

Val was turning into an absolute menace on the road. Either he was poking at Aelyn, teasing her until they both were mad, or picking at Remi. There was a stretch of a few hours where Val and Remi got into discussing Dwemer automotons, for which Aelyn was immensely grateful. By the end of the trip, Remi and Aelyn both had enough of his antics.

“Hands. To. Yourself.” Aelyn reprimanded him for the unknown-th time. Val rolled his eyes, exasperated.

“Ahh, you’re no fun.” He grumbled as the cart came to a stop outside of Riften.

“Bring a book next time. And no, stealing mine doesn’t count!” Remi hopped out of the carriage.

“You were napping.” He attempted to defend himself as he also disembarked from the carriage. He turned to offer his hand to help Aelyn down, but she hopped out on her own with a huff. “Oh, come on. What a bunch of stiffs.”

“I was resting my eyes.” Remiel lifted her chin as they approached the gate. “And! You owe me for stealing my snacks.”

“That I supposedly stole while you were resting your eyes?” Val smirked; getting a rise out of Remi was rather entertaining.

“You did steal them!” Remi’s voice raised in pitch as they entered the city.

“Aelyn watched me,” Val muttered, which earned him a glare from both Bretons.

“All right, that’s enough!” Aelyn snapped. “We don’t know what’s waiting for us, so let’s try to be on our guard, yeah?”

The Ratway was unnaturally quiet, as if the whole underground knew something was up. Opening the door to the Ragged Flagon, Aelyn could feel the tension. She knew Karliah was somewhere nearby but not seeing her, she made her way over to the bar while Val and Remi hung back by the entrance. Vekel looked up, and his eyes went wide.

“You’re alive.” He made his way over to her immediately.

“Wow, Vekel, I wasn’t sure you even knew my name.” Aelyn chuckled a little.

"Everyone's been worried since you and Mercer haven't shown up in a while. Brynjolf even went out to find you. Delvin and Vex have been running things for now.”

“Mercer hasn’t been back?” Aelyn clarified. She thought for sure he’d have come back and told the guild she was a traitor.

“No one has seen him since you two left on that last job.” Vekel shook his head. “I hope this all gets straightened out soon, or I'm headed on the first caravan out of Riften."  

“I’m sure it’ll all work out,” Aelyn reassured him; she glanced around the bar and found a hooded figure sitting alone in a corner. She was willing to bet that it was Karliah. Aelyn made her way over to the shrouded figure and carefully took a seat at their table.

"I'm glad you're here. I think some of these people are beginning to suspect who I am. Are you ready to face the Guild?" Karliah’s voice came out from beneath the hood.

“As I’ll ever be.” Aelyn sighed and stood up with Karliah.

"Keep your eyes open. I'm not sure what to expect when we enter the cistern.” She whispered as Aelyn led her over to the hidden entrance to the cistern. Val and Remi followed them through the secret door in the wardrobe.

The entire place had been locked down. Someone was posted at each entrance, and everyone was armed and on edge. The four of them hadn’t even entered the Cistern and were still in the small tunnel that ran from the Flagon entrance to the open space of the Guild headquarters when they were grabbed by guild members. They were pushed forward into the Cistern, where three familiar faces awaited them with their weapons drawn.

Brynjolf was flanked by both Delvin and Vex. His eyes widened when he saw Aelyn’s face and then hardened as he took in her company.

“You’re alive.” His voice was almost soft as he said it, betraying an emotion lurking there. It was quickly replaced as his brow furrowed, and he frowned. "You better have a damn good reason to be here with that murderer."

"Please, lower your weapons so we can speak. I have proof that you've all been misled!" Karliah stepped forward with her hands raised placatingly. Brynjolf paused, considering her words for a moment.

"No tricks, Karliah, or I'll cut you down where you stand.” He sheathed his sword. “Now, what's this so-called proof you speak of?"

"I have Gallus's journal.” Karliah pulled out the worn leather-bound book and offered it to Brynjolf. “I think you'll find its contents disturbing."

"Let me see.” He took the journal from her and began flipping through the pages, then paused, reading, then re-reading carefully. “No, it... can't be. This can't be true. I've known Mercer too long..."

"It's true, Brynjolf. Every word.” Karliah was using that same tone she’d used on Aelyn; it was almost a purr. “Mercer's been stealing from the Guild for years, right under your noses."

"There's only one way to find out if what the lass says is true.” He turned to his right-hand man, “Delvin, I'll need you to open the Vault."

"Wait just a blessed moment, Bryn.” Delvin followed Brynjolf toward the large doors in the back of the Cistern. “What's in that book? What did it say?"

"It says Mercer's been stealing from our vault for years. Gallus was looking into it before he was murdered." Brynjolf stopped before the vault doors, his arms crossed over his chest.

"How can Mercer open a vault that needs two keys?” Delvin fished his key out. "It's impossible. Could he pick his way in?"

"That door has the best puzzle locks money can buy. There's no way it can be picked open." Vex scoffed, glancing in Karliah’s direction.

"He didn't need to pick the lock," Karliah muttered. Aelyn’s ears pricked at that; could that be what Mercer had taken from the Sepulcher? Something that opened locks without a pick or key?

"What is she on about?" Delvin cast a suspicious look in Karliah’s direction.

"Use your key on the vault, Delvin. We'll open it up and find out the truth." Brynjolf nodded toward the doors. Delvin slid his key into one side of the vault doors. Several thunks and clicks sounded as he turned it in the keyway.

"I've used my key, but the vault's still locked up tighter than a drum.” He turned back to the small audience waiting before the doors.  He gestured to Brynjolf, “Now use yours."

He approached the doors with a frown. Brynjolf glanced behind him at Karliah, both hoping she was right and wrong. He fished his key out. It hung on a small chain he wore around his neck. Stepping to the opposite side of the doors as Delvin, Brynjolf turned his key in the lock. Again, several clicks and knocks sounded, followed by one deep resounding ‘clunk.’ He pushed the doors open with some effort, only to freeze in cold dread.

"By the Eight! It's gone, everything's gone!” Brynjolf yelled, “Get in here, all of you!"

"The gold, the jewels... it's all gone." Delvin entered the vault, rubbing the top of his head. This was bad. The guild was bankrupt. If they didn’t fix things quickly, or word got out, they were all dead men walking.

"That son-of-a-bitch! I'll kill him!" Vex drew her blade as if there was someone present for her to fight.

"Vex! Put it away... right now.” The sudden authority in his voice made her jump, “We can't afford to lose our heads... we need to calm down and focus."

"Do what he says, Vex. This isn't helpin' right now." Delvin seconded him.

"Fine. We do it your way. For now." Vex conceded, stowing her dagger.

"Delvin, Vex... watch the Flagon. If you see Mercer, come tell me right away." Brynjolf gestured toward the exit. With their orders given, Delvin and Vex made their way back out toward the Flagon. The rest trailed behind them into the cistern. Brynjolf’s eyes fell on Aelyn; he stopped her at the door. “Not you. I need a word.”

Chapter Text

Aelyn paused with an uneasy glance toward Remi and Val, who were almost out of earshot.

“Look, before I have you help track Mercer down, I need to know what you learned from Karliah. I mean everything." He stood with his arms crossed over his chest. This was business then. Aelyn let out a breath.

“Mercer killed Gallus, not Karliah.” Aelyn took a step back from him. Brynjolf nodded.

"Aye. I feared that was the case. From that last entry in Gallus's diary, it looks like he was getting close to exposing Mercer to the Guild. Anything else?" Brynjolf tried to hide the slight upturn of lips. Her movement didn’t escape him; his eyes were trained on her.

“Gallus, Karliah, and Mercer were Nightingales.” She tried not to fidget under his gaze.

"What? Nightingales?” Brynjolf’s brow raised in surprise, “But, I always assumed they were just a tale...a way to keep the young footpads in line. Was there anything else she told you?"

“No, but Karliah was the one behind Goldenglow and Honningbrew.” Aelyn wrapped her arms around herself, finding the weight of his stare to be too much.

"Trying to make Mercer look bad in front of Maven, eh? Clever lass.” Brynjolf stepped closer to her, “Was there anything else?" The tone of his voice shifted.

“No, that's it.” She looked away from him.

"Then I have an important task for you. I need you to break into Mercer's home and search for anything that could tell us where he's gone." His voice was softer this time, less interrogating.

“He has a house in Riften?” Aelyn looked up, surprised.

"Aye. A gift from the Black-Briars after they kicked the previous family out... a place called Riftweald Manor.” Brynjolf reached out, pushing her hair back over her shoulder, “He never stays there, just pays for the upkeep of it. Hired some lout by the name of Vald to guard the place."

“I'll take care of it.” She swatted his hand, and he smirked but then frowned.

"Be careful, lass.” His jade eyes held a worry that set her on edge, “This is the last place in Skyrim I'd ever want to send you. Just find a way in, get the information, and leave. And you have permission to kill anyone that stands in your way."

“What’s the best way into Riftweald manor?” Aelyn sighed. It was always like this: she had to fish for information.

"Good question.” He thought for a moment, “I've only set foot inside a few times myself and that was in Mercer's company. If you can get past his trained watchdog, I think your best bet might be the ramp to the second-floor balcony in his backyard."

“I don’t suppose the ramp is easy to access?” She was already plotting how to break in, not noticing how he shifted closer to her once more.

"No. It's some sort of crazy contraption Mercer commissioned for quick escapes. I'd wager a well-placed shot at the ramp's mechanism would lower it in a hurry." Brynjolf risked a glance out toward the cistern. With a smirk, he stepped closer to her.

“And the watchdog?” She was too slow to catch onto his little game, backing into the space just behind the vault door, out of sight.

"That'd be Vald—a real piece of work, that one. Mercer's holding something over his head, keeping him loyal. Talk to Vex. She used to know him very well...” He took her hand in his, holding it to his chest, “If you catch my meaning."

“I’ll do that.” She pulled her hand free as he leaned over her. “What are you doing?”

“I was worried when you didn’t show up. I thought Mercer might’ve…” Brynjolf traced his hand up her arm with a strange emotion in his eyes. She might’ve mistaken it for something genuine if she hadn't known better.

“You’ve been suspecting Mercer for some time.” Aelyn crossed her arms over her chest.

“Aye, I won’t deny it, but my hands were tied. As long as he was in charge, working against him was risky business.” He placed his hand on her waist and pulled her in close. “Then I happened upon you.”

“What do you want from me?” Despite herself, her heart began to pound; she felt her face flush as he pulled her hand free and brought her knuckles to his lips.

“Don’t think Mercer being gone changes anything. You still belong to the guild.” His voice was a purr. He leaned in, his lips brushing her ear as he spoke.

“Worried I’ll try to run away?” Why did her voice sound so breathy? She should be pushing him away.

“Yes.” His lips nearly grazed hers as he spoke. 

“Brynjolf…” This was an easy choice, so why wasn’t she making it? Even if he did have feelings for her, he was still using her. She *knew* that, yet the idea of cutting him off frightened her.

“Maybe we should work on that insurance policy?” His fingers trailed up her spine; his words tickled against her neck.

“S-stop.” It was barely a whisper, but he paused, pulling back to look into her eyes. She refused to let him, avoiding his gaze. Aelyn stepped around him, shaking her head. “I can’t do this with you.” He reached for her again, but she held up her hands, still shaking her head.

“And why is that?” He sounded upset.

“Because I don’t know what’s safe and what isn’t with you. It’s only business whenever it suits you, and it’s only something more on your terms. I might be stuck with the guild, but I’m not stuck with you.” She backed away from him. There was a beat of silence between them.

“How do I get you to trust me again?” There was something earnest in his words. Aelyn finally met his eyes.

“Let me leave.” It was all she could do to keep her voice from shaking.

“You’re free to go?” Brynjolf’s brow bent in confusion.

“The guild.” She clarified for him.

“I can’t do that lass.” He watched her shake her head before turning and leaving the vault.

Her throat burned, and her chest ached. He only wanted her as long as she was useful, ever manipulating, ensuring all his cards were working for him. Aelyn took a deep breath, trying to clear her head. She didn’t want anyone to see her like this, and she needed to focus. There was still a job to do, after all. She entered the Ragged Flagon to find Remi and Val waiting for her.

“Yikes, the Treasure vault empty?” Remi pulled a face and added, “Although I’m more concerned that they apparently don’t take inventory of their profits regularly.”

“In any case, we’ve got work to do.” Aelyn smiled half-heartedly. “I need a word with Vex before we head out.” She turned to look around for Vex when Val placed his hand on her shoulder. Aelyn looked up at him in confusion.

“Everything alright?” He searched her eyes for a moment.

“Peachy.” Aelyn offered him a smile, and his brow twitched. He didn’t believe her but didn’t press. “Brynjolf wants me to break into Mercer’s house and see if there are any clues about where he might have gone.” She explained. “Vex knows the guy guarding the place and might be able to help us out on an in.”

“Sounds fun!” Remi grinned. “I bet he’s got some goodies stashed away in there, too.”

Aelyn found Vex sitting at the bar in the Flagon. She sat down on the stool next to her, and Vex gave her a sidelong glance and then a smile. Vex signaled to Vekel, and two shots of whiskey appeared before them. Vex slid one to Aelyn.

“I finally get to buy you that drink.” She smiled. Aelyn picked up the little glass, looking a bit tired. “That’ll perk you up, don’t worry. Bottoms up.”

Aelyn didn’t drink often, but she was just the wrong side of worn out. She tipped the amber-colored liquid into her mouth without a second thought. It burned with an uncomfortable heat, shredding down her throat like fire. She coughed, and Vex laughed.

“That bad, huh? Brynjolf being an ass again?” She asked, rubbing Aelyn’s back as she tried to breathe.

“Something like that.” Aelyn managed to get out.

“He was pretty worried about you. Never seen him quite like that before. Look, if you want some solid advice…” Vex paused as Aelyn looked up at her, her eyes glassy from coughing. “I think he might genuinely feel something for you, but he’s not a good guy. Don’t let him fool you for a second on that front. He’ll use you up until you don’t have anything left to give if you let him.”

“I know.” Aelyn looked at her hands, and Vex watched her for a moment.

“You came over here for a reason?” Vex asked, changing the subject.

“I heard you might have information on a certain watchdog by the name of Vald?” Aelyn watched as Vex’s expression immediately soured.

"That pig? Oh, I have info on him. More than you care to know." Vex’s lip lifted in a half snarl of disgust.

“I need to get on his good side.” Aelyn’s brows bent as Vex chuckled at her.

"Vald? Good side? I think you have the wrong person.” She shook her head, “The only thing Vald understands is gold. A man after my own heart."

“Should I try to bribe him then?” Aelyn chewed her lip. She didn’t really want things to get messy if she could avoid it.

"Sure, but he'll ask for a whole lot. I mean, you are asking him to betray Mercer Frey. Your best bet would be to erase his debt with Maven Black-Briar. If you talk to her, she might be able to give you the details." Vex smirked as Aelyn frowned at the mention of Maven. "Of course, you could just run him through and take what you need off of his corpse... I could care less."

“Noted.” Aelyn tried not to make a face at Vex’s cold remarks.

She approached Val and Remi's table, taking a seat opposite the two. Remi was busy tinkering with some small contraption while Val's gaze rested wholly on Aelyn. She glanced up at him and immediately averted her eyes. He had a way of seeing everything she wanted to hide, and this was no different.

"I need to talk to Maven." Aelyn threw out before he could ask any questions. Remi paused, looking up.

"Maven? As in Maven Black-Briar?" She dropped her forceps. 

"Why Maven Black-Briar?" Val asked, drumming his fingers on the table. He was still looking at her like he was calculating the best way to pull information out of her.

"She has something over the guy guarding Riftweald Manor, Mercer's house. Vex used to be involved with him, and she's certain the best way to do this is to erase his debt with Maven." Aelyn explained.

"You'll have to set up an appointment to see her." Val mused aloud.

"I know that Maven is... A bad person... But is it wrong to admire her just a bit?" Remi looked concerned. "She's a cunning woman. And I'm also terrified to be meeting her. You can do all the talking, okay?" Aelyn chuckled,

"We don't have that kind of time. I think something more immediate is required. Don't worry, I have an idea, and Remi, you can relax; I think I can handle this one on my own." She smirked.

Since no one in Riften dared to cross the Black-Briars, Aelyn found the house relatively easy to infiltrate. While the family was out, she simply made her way to the second-story balcony and slipped in through the window, waiting in Maven’s private study for her to return home. She didn’t have to wait long.

Aelyn heard the front door open and close; steady but purposeful steps made their way up the stairs, too light for the average man, too confident to be anyone but the Black-Briar matriarch. Maven opened the door, spectacles perched on the bridge of her nose, reading a document as she entered the study. She was halfway across the room before she paused and looked up, finally realizing she wasn’t alone.

“You’ve just signed your death warrant-” She snarled in a genuinely venomous fashion before she paused, “Wait. I know you, the thief from the Honningbrew job. What in oblivion are you doing in here?”

“My apologies. I needed a meeting, and I don’t have a lot of time.” Aelyn stood from the chair she was sitting in.

“Well, that’s good news, neither do I. I’m a very busy woman.” Maven sat down at her desk, pulling out a pen and beginning to balance her ledger. “Well? Get on with it.”

“I wanted to discuss Vald’s debt.” Aelyn crossed her arms over her chest, and Maven’s pen paused mid-stroke. She looked up at Aelyn, setting her glasses down on her desk.

“Vald? Why would you want to help that idiot?” Maven set down her pen, “He owes me a steep debt. In fact, he's lucky all I did was force him to work for Mercer."

“Can I have the particulars of his situation?” Aelyn pressed.

“A few years back, I commissioned a unique quill from a good friend of mine in Winterhold. Vald was tasked with getting it here safely, and it ended up at the bottom of Lake Honrich." Maven sat back in her chair, her fingers steepled before her, “The wizards called it the Quill of Gemination and demanded a tremendous amount of gold to have it made. If you can locate the quill and return it to me, something Vald was too stupid to do himself, I'll consider the debt satisfied."

“Quill of Gemination?” Aelyn repeated the name.

"The quill was supposed to allow me to duplicate any writing I'm viewing in exacting detail. I'm sure you can understand how useful that would prove in a business situation, especially where signatures were involved." Before the wheels even started turning Maven added, "Fortunately, the quill required an ink with a unique formula known only to myself. So, if you're getting any ideas about selling it to someone else or keeping it, you'll find it would hold little value."

“Alright, I’ll return the quill.” Aelyn headed toward the open window.

“I'd check under the water near one of the small islands in the lake. Perhaps you should start at the docks and work your way out towards Goldenglow Estate.” A ghost of a smirk appeared on Maven’s lips, “And if you see Maul, my man in the market? Tell him I want locks on the windows by the end of the week.”

Aelyn grinned as she slipped back out the window.

Chapter Text

Val lounged on the bed in their little room in the Bee and Barb, his fingers laced behind his head. Remi stood with her arms folded, listening to Aelyn explain the problem as Scrap investigated the space. His little forelegs tapped seemingly at random on the walls and furniture. Aelyn shifted in her chair, tapping her fingers anxiously on the bedside table.

“Vald? Vex slept with that guy?” Val’s eyebrows shot up.

“If we can clear his debt with Maven, then there’s no one to guard the Manor.” Aelyn continued.

“Vald?” Val repeated in disbelief, still trying to wrap his head around Vex having a relationship with the meathead.

“And we aren’t just knocking him out because…?” Remi asked.

“First, I don’t know if I can get my arms around his neck to put him in a proper chokehold.” Aelyn shook her head, “He’s too… meaty. Second, if we use a powder or something, we have two more problems. He will eventually wake up, so we then have a time limit to search the house, and if we tie him up, we have to move him somewhere out of sight. The guy is huge.”

“Vald? Really?” Val muttered in the corner. “Maybe I shouldn’t judge…”

“He sank the rowboat somewhere on Lake Honrich near one of the little islands. Maven suggested we start at the docks and work our way out toward Goldenglow.” Aelyn explained.

“What kind of idiot sinks a rowboat in a lake?” Val shook his head incredulously.

“And we’re not keeping the quill because?” Remi prompted once again.

“The quill needs a special ink; only Maven knows the ingredients,” Aelyn repeated.

“We don’t even know if that’s true; I say we at least test it out before we hand it back to her.” Val sat up on the edge of the bed.

“We have to find it first.” Aelyn sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.

“This is like finding a needle in a haystack.” Remi shook her head. “How are we supposed to find a little lock box in a huge lake?” The three of them sat silently for a moment.

“Waterbeathing spell?” Aelyn mused.

“We’d need a lot of them, and those are expensive.” Remi leaned against the door frame.

“Why don’t we just use a clairvoyance spell?” Val offered.

“That… Could work!” Aelyn grinned, standing up. “I wonder if the court wizard could help us out?”

“Only one way to find out.” Val stood up, ready to get moving.

“Let’s go see them then!” Remi smiled as she collected Scrap into her backpack.

Mistveil Keep was the seat of power in Riften. The large, imposing stone structure overlooked the city from the northeast. The great hall's high ceilings created an echo chamber, so even the quietest of conversations could be heard. Deep purple banners displaying the crest of Riften hung from the rafters, and a large fire burned in the hearth at the far end of the room. The Jarl’s throne sat empty on a raised dais just before the hearth. The court mage rooms were off to the left, and as they entered them, they were met with an overwhelming collection of plants, books, and magical instruments.  

Every surface was covered, piled high with random baubles, ancient tomes, and the like. Stacks of research papers and notes, baskets heaped with herbs, and candle stands caked with wax made a maze of the floor. On the opposite side of the room, a large bang, followed by a crash, sounded.

“I’m alright! Just a little… hiccup with the reagent.” A voice called.

“Excuse me, we’re looking for the court mage?” Aelyn called, trying to catch a glimpse of the disembodied voice over the heaps of junk.

“Oh, that’s me, Wylandriah! Just over here! Excuse my disorganization, but I'm in the middle of some delicate experiments.” She called.

Aelyn, Val, and Remi began to pick their way through the room toward the far end, careful not to knock anything over. They made the journey mostly unscathed; Remi tripped over an old staff but recovered quickly. A little bespectacled Bosmer woman with long dark hair and a small set of antlers was rummaging through a cabinet. She stopped and stood up once they reached her. Her robes were stained with various splotches of all colors, but she smiled warmly and reached out to shake Aelyn’s hand.

“Hello! Did we have an appointment? No... was it a delivery? I can't remember.” Wylandriah tilted her head. Aelyn shook her hand gingerly.

“No, we were hoping you could help us out with a clairvoyance spell. It’s to locate a magical object.”

“Oh! Oh, yes, wonderful. All too easy; we just need to use a magical construct and a reagent that will allow the construct to maintain a field of permanent harmonic energy!” The mage turned to a counter littered with notes and began shuffling through them. “Now, where did I put those spiders…”

“I’m not sure I follow what you’re saying, but a scroll of clairvoyance should do the trick?” Aelyn offered.

“You don't have to because it's utter nonsense. It's never going to work. No, no, no.” She muttered, rushing past them to another set of shelves, just as messy and overflowing as the countertop had been. “What I need to do is reverse that. Draw the harmonic energy into the reagent and then apply it with the proper incantation. What was I thinking? It would never work that first way. Why didn't you tell me?”

“Uh, Wylandriah, just the scroll would do?” Aelyn tried again, her brows coming together. The mage seemed to be a smidge off-kilter.

“Scroll? What scroll?” Wylandriah looked at her with confusion.

“The clairvoyance spell? We’re here for a scroll of clairvoyance?” Aelyn reminded her once more.

“Oh, right! Sorry, it's as simple as Traven's First Axiom of Magic... Or was it Galerion's Law of Casting? Hmm. I'll tell you what, let me find out where that's from. I'll need to look through my library... and get you an answer.” Wylandriah once more began to rummage through her shelves.

“You know what? That’s alright; I think we have what we need.” Val piped up from behind Aelyn.

“Oh, is that right? Well then, it was nice talking to you!” She responded absently, not looking up from the hefty tome she was holding.

“Thank you very much for your services.” He smiled charmingly as they backed out of the room. He jerked his chin at Remi and quickly turned Aelyn toward the keep doors.

“Val, what are you doing? We still need the scroll.” Aelyn protested as he pushed her through the doors of the keep.

“What are you talking about? We have it.” He grinned. Val produced a fancy-looking, rolled-up piece of parchment. Aelyn leveled a look at him, and he tucked the scroll back into his jacket. “Don’t look at me like that; I doubt she’ll miss it.”

“That’s true; that room was setting my teeth on edge with how messy it was.” Remi hopped down the steps of the keep.

“It’s a wonder she hasn’t blown anything up yet.” Aelyn conceded as they made their way to the docks.

“Aw, give her time. I’m sure she will eventually.” Val smirked.

The docks were bustling as the sun neared its zenith in the sky. Dock workers were busy loading and unloading cargo, inspection officers were handling paperwork, and crew and officers were calling out orders, creating a cacophony of voices and movement. Val led them to the far end of the docks, where there was a little less noise and activity.

“Are we about to ‘acquire’ a boat again?” Aelyn asked.

“Why not? It always amazes me the places you could go if you just walk in like you own the place. No one even asks any questions.” Val hopped into a little rowboat and pulled Remi and Aelyn in. “Besides, it’s not like we aren’t going to return it. We’re just borrowing it for a little while.”

Val took up the oars and pushed off, propelling them out into the lake. The heat of the day was upon them, and the open water offered no shade as the sun beat down on them. Val soon shed his coat as he rowed them out toward the first little island. Aelyn cast her gaze out over the water, feeling a little overwarm but ultimately deciding the heat was getting to her. It absolutely had nothing to do with the way Val’s shirt hung open with his chest on display, or how his sleeves bunched around his arms as he rowed, and definitely not because of the slight sheen of perspiration that highlighted chiseled planes of his face. He set the oars down as they drifted through the water.

“So, shall we draw straws on who’s jumping in and getting this thing?” He asked.

“Well, aren’t you the most logical choice?” Remi proposed. “I’d think you were the strongest swimmer here.”

“Don’t look at me; you’ve already gotten one free show.” Aelyn crossed her arms over her chest, referring to her dip in the Sea of Ghosts when they retrieved the Star of Solitude, and Val laughed.

“Fine, fine. I suppose a refreshing swim isn’t so bad on a hot day.” Val pulled off his boots and stood up.

Aelyn looked up at him suspiciously; she had expected him to complain at least a little. He pulled his shirt over his head with a smile. Aelyn’s throat went dry as her mouth hung open slightly. What was wrong with her? She suddenly couldn’t tear her eyes away. He wasn’t as bulky as some Nords, but each clearly defined muscle bunched and shifted under his many tattoos as he fished the spell scroll out of his jacket. Val flashed her a cheeky grin, and she looked away, realizing he’d caught her outright staring.

"Don't avert your eyes now; you're missin' my best features." He unrolled the clairvoyance scroll and ripped the parchment in half, activating the spell. He stood still for a moment, his eyes a little glazed over. He blinked several times, “Looks like we ended up pretty close to where the boat went down. Back in a few moments, ladies,” Val said with a grin and drove into the water, causing the boat to rock violently.

“I probably should have guessed, but I didn’t realize Val had so many tattoos. He’s always wearing that jacket, so you don’t really see his arms.” Remi remarked, “That’s what you were looking at, right?”

“Yeah, the tattoos.” Aelyn hid her face in her hands.

Val resurfaced a moment or two later, holding a small lockbox. Aelyn and Remi held on to the opposite side of the boat so it didn’t capsize as he climbed back in. He lay back in the boat, catching his breath for a moment while Aelyn fumbled with the lock on the strongbox. If Val had been a distraction before he’d jumped in the water, it was amplified tenfold now. The box opened a moment or two later, revealing a purple-plumed quill with a golden nub. Little runes were carved into the spine and seemed to almost glow with unused magic.

“That is a fancy-looking quill.” Remi stared at it longingly.

Aelyn frowned; handing such an item over to Maven Black-Briar didn’t sit well with her. Maven was ambitious and underhanded, willing to do whatever it took to stay on top, even if it meant crushing others. A quill that could replicate any document in her hands seemed dangerous. Before she could doubt herself any further, Aelyn took the quill, set it on the edge of the box, and slammed it shut, snapping the spine.

“What have you done?!” Remi shrieked.

“Keeping it out of Maven’s hands,” Aelyn responded as she set the broken quill inside the lockbox.

“We could have kept it!” Remi argued.

“No, I still have to give it to her. I’ll tell her it must have been damaged in the wreck. I still hold up my end of the deal and hopefully, she still holds up hers.” Aelyn looked up to see Val hiding a half-smile. “Let’s get back to Riften and get this over with.”

Once back inside the city, Aelyn made her way toward Black-Briar Manor while Remiel and Val waited for her just around the corner. She decided to knock on the door this time. It was a moment before someone answered. A tall, thin man opened the door.

“Can I help you?” He asked with an air of haughtiness.

“Is Maven in? She should be expecting me.” Aelyn lied. The man said nothing and closed the door in her face.  She waited and heard no sounds from within. She was just about to try the windows when the door opened again.

“Lady Black-Briar will see you.” He stepped to the side to allow her entrance into the manor.

The manor's interior was all dark tones, and Aelyn couldn’t help but feel as though the house itself was in mourning. Each detail was decadent: the rich mahogany wood floors, deep purple velvet drapes, and fine silver and gold accents on the furniture. The man led her up a broad staircase toward the second floor and into a familiar study where Maven Black-Briar sat behind a large desk. She didn’t even look up as they entered.

“I expect you have something for me?” She asked as the man who had escorted Aelyn stepped back. Aelyn placed the box on the desk and opened it. Maven glanced up and frowned. “What’s this?”

“I recovered the quill, but it was apparently damaged in the wreck,” Aelyn explained.

“I can’t use this.” Maven sat back, eyeing Aelyn for a moment.

When Aelyn said nothing further, Maven sighed and pulled a piece of paper from her desk drawer. She signed something at the bottom, folded it, and sealed it with her personal stamp. She held the paper out to Aelyn, who took it, looking confused.

“You held up your end of the bargain, and I’m feeling generous. Give this document to Vald. It frees him from the debt, but I never want to see him in Riften again.” Maven immediately turned her attention back to her work.

The man who had escorted her in cleared his throat, and Aelyn turned around. Apparently, she was being dismissed. Feeling confused by how easy the whole interaction had been, she followed the man out of the study and back to the front door. He opened the door for her, and as Aelyn stepped through, he closed it with a little more force than necessary behind her.

She tried not to read into it as she walked around the corner to find Val and Remi waiting for her. Remi looked up in surprise, seeing the folded paper in Aelyn’s hand.

“It really worked? She cleared Vald’s debt?” Remi couldn’t believe it.

“Yeah, she didn’t even question the story.” Aelyn was a little shocked herself at how easy the whole exchange had been. “I think she might have been looking for a reason to get Vald out of her hair anyway.”

“Nothing worse than deadweight on your payroll.” Val kicked off the wall he’d been leaning on, “Well, in that case, I suppose it’s time for a little breaking and entering.”

“I’m ready if you are.” Aelyn grinned.

“Always.” He smiled back.

Chapter Text

Vald was a beast of a man. He was at least six and a half feet tall and built more like a brick wall than a man. Aelyn was glad they had not tried to knock him out. They likely would have run out of sleeping potion, and there was no way any of them would have gotten him into a chokehold.

“How did you talk Maven into this?” Vald stared at the paper Aelyn handed him through the iron gate.

“I-” Aelyn began, but he shook his head.

“Nevermind. I don’t care. I'm just glad I don't gotta work for Maven anymore.” Vald unlocked the gate. “She wants me outta Riften? Say less.” He shouldered past Aelyn and Remi, who fell back into Val as he made his way down the back alley toward the city's main gates.

“Is it just me or…” Aelyn tilted her head to the side.

“This all seems to be going suspiciously well?” Val concluded.

“Yeah.” Aelyn nodded.

“I agree.” Remi looked from the gate to the direction Vald had disappeared.

Val gathered static in his hand and aimed his spell at the escape ramp’s lowering mechanism. The lightning struck it, causing the gears to disengage and let the ramp fall free. It hit the ground with a loud ‘bang.’

“Brynjolf seemed really concerned about this place. Who knows what we’re going find in there.” Aelyn glanced up at the second-story door. “If it gets too dangerous, we bail. If we get separated, we’ll regroup at the Flagon.”

The lock on the door at the top of the ramp took Aelyn a few tries to pick. She was about to let Remi try when it finally gave, and she was able to turn the handle. The room they entered was full of old boxes and crates. Furniture was covered with drop cloths adorned with a thick layer of dust.

“Looks like an old storeroom,” Remi muttered, peeking under one of the drop cloths.

The sound of the door opening in the next room made them all freeze. It closed with force, and the sound of boots stomping across the floor in their direction had them dispersing for cover. Remi and Aelyn hid behind a few stacked crates easily enough; Val had to lie down behind an old couch not to be seen.

“Damn it, making me come up here. I didn’t hear no noise.” A man’s voice grumbled. A tall, muscular Nord with dark hair plodded into the storeroom toward the back door. He checked the door to the ramp and found it unlocked. Opening it, he cursed under his breath, seeing the ramp down. “Anyone in here?” He swung around, looking for any signs of a disturbance, as if someone would respond to his question. He waited a moment and then sighed. “Stupid ramp, probably just fell down.” He muttered, crossing the room once again. The sound of the door in the next room opening and slamming shut had them all breathing a sigh of relief.  

“There are guards inside, too?” Remi hissed, emerging from her hiding spot.

“Ugh, I think I have dust in my hair,” Val muttered, trying to fix it just so.

“This is going to make searching much more difficult.” Aelyn shook her head, “And I doubt he left his manifesto or whatever just lying around.”

“We could kill them.” Val offered, still brushing himself off. This earned him a look from both Aelyn and Remi. “What? I’ve been around these types my whole life; you shouldn’t feel bad about killing any of them.”

“Can we try to avoid that unless we have to? I’m not keen on turning the place into a blood bath if we don’t have to.” Aelyn crossed her arms over her chest.

“Sure, but you risk them overpowering you rather than taking them by surprise.” Val shrugged.

“Let’s just get moving.” Aelyn crept toward the door of the storeroom.

She eased the door open, looking out into a large landing. Just as she was about to tiptoe out into the open, the sound of someone walking up the stairs had her quickly retreating.

“Damn it, now I have to stand guard up here?” The a different voice than they had heard moments earlier griped. A little higher than the first, but still definitely male.

Aelyn listened carefully as he walked past the door they hid behind. As the steps passed the door, she opened it quickly, stepping behind the man and launching onto his back, her arm around his neck, her hand forcing his head forward. Val was right behind her, catching the man before he hit the floor as he lost consciousness. Remi, Aelyn, and Val all glanced at one another. Val nodded toward the stairs as he carefully laid the man on the floor.

They crept down the stairs to the ground floor in single file. At the foot of the stairs was an open foyer. The front door to the manor sat across from the stairs, and various display cases displayed bejeweled trophies around the room. A small study was tucked just beside the stairs, with the dining area just around the corner in open view of the foyer.

Aelyn and Val moved toward the study. Remi crept toward the display cases, intent on taking a small token for their trouble.

“Ugh, you couldn’t even check properly?” An aggravated voice came from the kitchen.

“There wasn’t anything up there. You’re hearin’ things.” The voice of the man who had been upstairs argued.

Boots stomped across the kitchen floorboards. Aelyn’s eyes widened, and she turned to grab Remi, only to find her on the other side of the room, picking the lock on a display case.

“Remi!” She hissed, getting her attention; Aelyn motioned for her to go out the front door.

Remi popped the display case open, snatching a jeweled necklace from inside. She stepped toward Aelyn, but she froze, her eyes going wide. Aelyn moved to run toward her before being violently jerked backward as Val dragged her into the study.

 They hid just inside the open doorway of the study. Not hearing a commotion as the man entered the foyer, Aelyn had to assume Remi either hid effectively or made it out the front door without being seen. The man crossed the foyer and started up the stairs. Aelyn’s heart began to pound; he was about to find the guard they had knocked unconscious. She glanced up at Val in a panic just as the man shouted.

“Intruders! Someone is in the house!” he yelled; two more sets of boots were running across the dining room from the back of the manor.

Looking around quickly, Val grabbed Aelyn’s hand, dragging her behind him as he pulled open a wardrobe.

“Think thin.” He whispered and shoved her inside, stepping in and closing the door behind them just a split second before someone entered the room.

They listened, both still as statues as someone walked about the room. A second set of footsteps moved up the stairs while the person in the study moved out to the foyer—they paced at the bottom of the steps.

“Well, this is cozy,” Val muttered.

Aelyn shifted. She was uncomfortably pinned against him. She tried to move her leg, but his knee was wedged between them. She pressed against the back of the wardrobe and felt it give a little. The last thing they needed was the wardrobe breaking open, so she arched away from it and against his chest instead.

“Stop squirming,” Val whispered.

“Your knee is digging into me.” Aelyn hissed. He tried to shift, his thigh sliding between her legs. She gripped the front of his jacket. “Stop!” She gasped. His leg was intimately thrust against her. She attempted to rise onto her tiptoes so that he wasn’t pressing so hard against the apex of her thighs. The whole of her body slid against him as she did so.

“Stop moving.” He attempted to hold her still.

“They’re going to hear us.” She argued, trying to use her hips to leverage away from him and incidentally rolling against him.

“Well, if you don’t stop squirming, we’re going to have another problem.” He cautioned her.

“What other problems we could possibly have right now?” She was agitated. She needed to know if Remi was okay. His breath was moving the hair by her ear, tickling it, and his thigh between her legs was doing things. She shifted again, trying to move even the slightest bit away.

“Aelyn.” Val’s voice was a warning this time.

“If you don’t be quiet, we’re going to have another problem.” She reprimanded.

He gripped her hips and pulled her against him. She sucked in a breath, finally understanding what he was getting at; she felt him pressed against her hip. Her body lit up, and a tugging sensation in her abdomen made her knees feel weak, and her blood run hot. Aelyn let out a little gasp as his lips brushed against her neck.

“Now, Stop. Squirming.” He said in a low voice before nipping at the tip of her ear.

She jumped, hitting the back of the wardrobe, which made a soft click and suddenly gave way. They stumbled backward through the wardrobe into a hidden passage, falling to the floor. The false panel of the wardrobe slid back into place silently behind them.

They found themselves on a small landing with an old wooden ladder leading down into a basement. Val stood up, helping Aelyn to her feet. They peered down into the basement.

“Ladies first.” He gestured as she rolled her eyes at him and climbed down the ladder.

The basement was mostly empty but featured a large hole in the wall that a cold breeze blew through.  The smell reminded Aelyn of the ratway. The hole led into a tunnel that turned abruptly to the right at the far end.

“I think if Mercer is hiding anything, it’ll probably be in there.” Aelyn started forward. They journeyed forward for a few moments in silence.

“So.” Val began casually. “How’s Brynjolf?” Aelyn nearly stumbled.

“Seriously?” She asked, sounding irritated.

“What?” He grinned. “I’m just curious.” Val shrugged as they entered a room with square tiles laid out in a curious design. Aelyn stopped, noticing scorch marks on some of the spaces.

“I think this is a trap…” She said softly.

“No, I really was just wondering. Not that I’d mind being your dirty little secret, but-” He continued before Aelyn cut him off.

“Not you; look at the floor!” She gestured at the scorch marks. Val paused and looked down at the tiles.

“I think you’re right.” He tested one of the scorched tiles with the toe of his boot. It immediately depressed and began shooting fire up toward the ceiling.

Aelyn tested one of the non-scorched tiles, finding it sturdy; she hopped onto it. Val moved past her toward the next unmarred tile. They picked their way across the room, carefully avoiding the scorched tiles. Val hopped from one tile to the next. His longer legs made short work of the convoluted path through. Aelyn tried to keep up, but her shorter legs proved less than up to the task as she landed wrong and lost her balance. She stumbled forward, catching herself with her hands as the tile beneath them depressed. Val shouted as fire shot forth. He reached over the line of tiles separating them, gripping her belt and jerking her back toward him. They collided with enough force to knock them both backward and through the doorway.

“You’re not burnt…” he muttered incredulously. Checking her hands, he pushed her hair back from her face and inspected her.

“Yeah, seems like it. I’ll take the whiplash over a fire facial any day,” She rubbed her neck.

“I thought for sure-” He began when she cut him off.

“I’m fine; you were pretty quick. Let’s keep moving.” Aelyn stood up, dusting herself off. His eyes narrowed on her suspiciously, but he said nothing. “And to answer your question, I don’t care how Brynjolf is doing.” She was changing the subject. He followed closely behind her, and since the topic suited him, he didn’t bother questioning her about it.

“Oh, is that so.” He grinned. Aelyn stepped around a pressure plate, noting the holes in the ceiling above it.

“I’m not sure why you care anyway.” She said absently, keeping an eye out for more traps. Whatever was down there, Mercer didn’t want anyone finding it.

“I told you before.” Val tugged her back by the collar so she didn’t cross a trip wire. “I’m interested.”

“Aren’t you interested in everything?” Aelyn muttered as she stepped carefully over the trip wire. Val let out a humorless laugh.

“Not everything, no.” He grinned, following along. “I have taste, after all.” He walked beside her, trying to catch her eyes.

She felt a stone depress beneath her foot as Val heard the click of the trap triggering. He yanked her back against him as a gauntlet went off before them. A set of three axes swung forth from the walls, a battering ram cut across the tunnel behind the axes, and another set of axes swung past that. Aelyn’s eyes went wide.

"Would you stop just barreling ahead?" He reprimanded her.

"Sorry, you're distracting me," She grumbled, and he smiled broadly.

"Is that so?" His eyes followed her as she stepped out of his arms.

“I think… whatever is past this might be what we’re looking for.” She said, gawking at the tunnel before them. It reminded her of her time in the Fighter’s Guild. She’d done this before while training with Ignus. The setup was slightly different, but it distinctly resembled the gauntlet in the guild hall.

“I think you might be right, but how are we-” Val began and then paused as he saw her counting the beats of the swinging axes, readying to leap, “Wait, no-”

Aelyn leapt forward, doing an artful roll to the other side of the first set of axes, letting out a little nervous laugh that she actually made it. The battering ram clicked and released once more and nearly hit her. She threw herself to the floor, rolling beneath it toward the next set of swinging axes. Standing up and dusting herself off, she spied a small handle on the wall just past the next set of swinging blades. She turned and gave Val a little wave.

“Wait until I get to the other side. There’s a switch on the wall up here.” Aelyn called to him. He huffed, crossing his arms over his chest, and nodded.

The axes swung in and then out as she leapt forward, rolling as she did the first time. She realized too late that her timing was off as She felt the searing pain through her thigh as the last blade swung in and sliced into her. She tried not to scream. Blood soaked the fabric of her leggings, running into her boot and onto the floor as she fell forward and rolled.

“Aelyn!” Val’s voice was full of panic.

She knew she had to hit the switch before he tried to cross, regardless of the traps. Aelyn dragged herself toward the wall and managed to pull herself up and hit the switch. The traps disarmed as she turned and leaned against the wall, her legs giving out as she slid down to the ground. Val ran toward her.

“That was stupid! Why didn’t you wait?” He pressed his hand against the wound, attempting to keep pressure on it. “We need something to stem the bleeding.”

“Here.” She shrugged her tunic off, her teeth gritted, breathing hard. “I’ll keep pressure on it, see if there’s a potion in the next room?” Just beyond was an open doorway; a flickering light danced across the walls of a small enclosed space.

She tore a strip off the tunic to use as a bandage as she pressed hard with the remainder of the garment to try and stop the bleeding. The axe had cut her nearly to the bone; her hands shook as her blood soaked through the tunic. There was so much blood all over her hands, her leg, and the floor. Aelyn tried to breathe through her nose, but the pain was blinding; this was infinitely worse than being shot with an arrow. Hot tears streaked down her cheeks, and she wasn’t even aware; all she could feel was the raw, burning agony in her thigh.

“You’re so damned lucky.” Val sounded angry as he returned with a small potion bottle from the next room.

Aelyn lifted the blood-soaked tunic from her leg as he pulled the stopper out with his teeth. Val wasted no time in pouring the potion onto the open wound. She winced as she felt it take effect, her muscles stitching back together, nerves and blood vessels reconnecting. He placed the stopper back in the bottle and sighed deeply.

“What were you even thinking?” He dragged her to her feet.

“Oh, so risks are only okay when you’re the one taking them?” Aelyn groaned, her leg still aching as the newly formed flesh was tested. His eyes flashed toward her.

“It’s different.” He still sounded irritated.

“How so?” She was trying to sound less confrontational, but someone had to run through those traps and better her than him.

“Because I haven’t gotten stabbed, poisoned, shot, almost scorched, or diced up.” His words had an edge to them, and then he paused for a moment, “Well, not recently.”

“Glad to do it for you,” Aelyn tested her weight on her leg, and Val frowned.

“I thought the reason you hired me on was to help prevent near death experiences for you?” He folded his arms over his chest. Aelyn rolled her eyes as they entered the little room through the doorway.

“We’re partners now; you’re more than fodder to me.” She gave him a small smile, and he paused, tilting his head to the side before grinning.

“Well, now my heart’s all a flutter.” He smirked and looked around the small room.

A candle flickered on a table pushed against the wall. Someone had to have been there recently. On the table was a large piece of parchment detailing plans to retrieve something called ‘The Eyes of the Falmer.’ Aelyn and Val studied it closely.

“I think this is what we’re looking for.” She muttered as he nodded in agreement. Aelyn rolled up the parchment with a cursory glance around the little room.

“Let’s get this back to the guild then.” She still felt the cold breeze wafting through the room.

It was coming from a small door tucked in the back of the room. She was certain they were very close to the Ratway. Aelyn tried the door and found it unlocked. She pulled it open and stepped out onto a walkway that wound high above an ancient subterranean atrium. She inched along the walkway, Val at her heels, when she spied another door, and above it hung an old sign that read ‘The Ragged Flagon.’  Relief flooded through her. As she reached for the door, Val gently grasped her hand. She turned toward him, confused.

“Hey.” He started to trace her fingers with his.

“What is it?” She glanced toward the door and then back at him, not understanding why they were stopping.

“When this is done, how about we go on a little adventure? Just you and me?” His eyes were focused on her; she looked up at him, trying to decipher what he was thinking.

“Just you and me? Why?” Aelyn found herself staring, the gold flecks in his eyes made the deep green of them almost seem to glow. What was this strange energy that seemed to always linger between them? He let a slow smile ease across his lips.

“There’s a ruin I’ve been wanting to investigate and… You can think of it as a date.” He let his thumb ghost across her knuckles. Aelyn started to laugh, and he smiled. “What? Is there something funny about me asking you on a date?”

“Several things.” She chuckled and shook her head. “First of all, why would you want to go on a date with me? Secondly, delving into dangerous ruins is a date?”

“Well, you don’t seem the type to wine and dine,” He tugged her a little closer, lacing his fingers between hers. He was right. “And… I like you.” He added the last part somewhat bashfully, and her heart stuttered. Oh Gods, the slight tinge to his cheeks had her dissolving.

Then the anxiety hit, kicking her into overdrive. Her heart started to pound so hard it almost hurt as a bolt of fear shot through her. Aelyn stared back at him for a moment. He didn’t mean as a friend. If she was honest, she felt the same way, but that was a dangerous thing to admit. She’d let him get close to her without realizing it; she cared about him. Which meant he could hurt her. The thoughts ran through her head at lightning speed.

She looked down at herself, covered in blood and dirt, standing in her undershirt and ripped leggings. He would devastate her, but her life would never change if she didn’t try to make different choices. He gently tilted her head back up so that she was looking at him once more.

“I-I uh,” She bit her lip to stop her stammering before finding her resolve, “Alright, yeah. Let’s go.” Aelyn said softly.

“Good.” He grinned, turning her back toward the door.

She tried to calm her heart rate as they walked back into the Flagon, only to see Remi waiting for them, her face drained of color as she laid eyes on the two of them, smeared in dirt and blood.

Chapter Text

Aelyn tugged at the rough tunic she wore. She’d been forced to scrounge around the Guild for something not soaked in blood. Thankfully, Karliah had a set of old travel clothes. The tunic was a faded red that laced up the front and was itchy. She was a bit shorter than Karliah, the Dunmer being nearly four inches taller than her. She’d had to wrap the belt around her waist twice so the excess wasn’t completely unwieldy. 

“I can’t take it anymore.” Val shook his head at her, “We have got to take you shopping.” 

“There’s nothing wrong with this,” Aelyn looked down at the clothes. Sure, they were itchy, but they were clean, if a bit too big for her.

“There are so many things wrong with this.” He gestured dramatically at the ensemble. 

“I’m no expert, but I’m inclined to agree with Val.” Remi folded her arms across her chest. Aelyn shrugged, leaning against the guild master’s desk as they waited for Brynjolf.

“Do you have any idea how much money would be wasted on my wardrobe?” Aelyn raised a brow. “It seems like I go through a new shirt every week these days.”

“Well, if you’d stop jumping into things head first and getting cut up, maybe your clothes would last a little longer.” Remiel reprimanded her. She was still upset over how they had turned up in the Ragged Flagon. The cold dread that had washed over her at the sight of her friend covered in blood wasn’t something she would soon be forgetting. 

The door to the cistern swung open aggressively as Brynjolf entered. He looked angry as he strode over to them. He glanced between the three of them, lingering a moment longer between Aelyn and Val as he frowned. 

“We’ve scoured the town, and I’ve spoken to every contact we have left. No sign of Mercer. Any luck on your end?” He folded his arms over his chest. 

“He wasn’t there, but I found these plans.” Aelyn handed the rolled-up parchment over to him. Brynjolf’s eyes went wide as he realized what he was looking at. 

“Shor’s beard! He’s going after the Eyes of the Falmer?” He shook his head in disbelief, “That was Gallus’s pet project. If he gets his hands on them, you can be certain he’ll be gone for good and set up for life.”

“Then we have to stop him.” Aelyn stood up straight.

“Agreed. He’s taken everything the Guild has left, and to go after one of the last greatest heists is just an insult. I’ve spoken to Karliah and made amends for how the Guild has treated her.” He jerked his head to the center of the cistern behind him. Karliah stood waiting. “Now, she wishes to speak with both of us. Quickly, we have no time to lose.” Brynjolf held out his hand toward Aelyn. She eyed him for a moment and then, with a roll of her eyes, strode past him toward Karliah. Brynjolf closed his hand into a fist and followed behind her. 

Karliah looked grave as they approached her. She didn’t speak until they were close enough that their conversation wouldn’t be overheard. 

“Brynjolf, the time has come to decide Mercer’s fate.” She spoke directly to him, “Until a new Guild Master is chosen, the decision falls to you.” 

“Aye, lass... I’ve come to a decision.” He glanced at Aelyn and then back to Karliah, “Mercer Frey tried to kill both of you; he betrayed the Guild, murdered Gallus, and made us question our future. He needs to die.” His words lingered in the air.  

“We have to be very careful, Brynjolf. Mercer is a Nightingale, an Agent of Nocturnal.” Karliah said it as if either of them understood what that really meant. However, the statement seemed to have an effect on Brynjolf.

“It’s all true... everything I heard in the stories.” His hands fell to his sides, “The Nightingales, their allegiance to Nocturnal and the Twilight Sepulcher.”

“Yes. That’s why we must prepare ourselves and meet Mercer on equal footing.” Kaliah looked from Brynjolf to Aelyn. “Just outside of Riften, beyond the Southeast Gate, is a small path cut up the mountainside. At the end of that path is a clearing and an old standing stone. I’d ask you both to meet me there.” Karliah promptly turned from them and made her way toward the Flagon. Aelyn didn’t like the way this was heading. She felt the same sinking feeling she’d had when Brynjolf first started asking her to do little jobs for the Guild. It felt like quicksand. 

“This is enough to make your head spin.” He muttered, turning to Aelyn. 

“Brynjolf, I don’t like this.” Aelyn crossed her arms over her chest. 

“What choice do we have? Karliah is right; if we don’t find a way to get some edge over Mercer, we’re as good as dead.” He argued. 

“That’s not true; there’s three of us and one of him!” She felt frustrated, and the sinking feeling nagging at the edge of her awareness was getting to her. 

“Look, I’ve got my own preparations to make. I know it sounds crazy, but I trust Karliah. I’ll meet you at the standing stone.” Clearly, this wasn’t up for discussion. 

“You’re right; it does sound crazy.” Aelyn snapped before turning away from him. His gaze lingered as he watched her walk away before turning toward the entrance of the cistern. 

“What was all that?” Remi asked, sensing Aelyn’s soured mood. 

“Karliah wants Brynjolf and I to meet her outside of Riften this evening. I just… I have a bad feeling about all this, and Brynjolf is being an ass.” She blew out a breath. 

“What does she want?” Val probed with a lift of his brow.

“To put us on equal footing with Mercer. I just have this bad feeling, and I don’t like it…” She trailed off. 

“I think you’re right to be suspicious. Which means, of course-” Val stood up as Remi finished his sentence for him. 

“We’re going with you.” Remiel grinned. Aelyn smiled back. 

As Karliah had said, the standing stone was just south of Riften. An overgrown path departed from the main road out of town and led them up toward the mountains nearby. It would have been easy to miss if one hadn’t been looking for it. As the sun set and dusk was upon them, Aelyn, Remi, and Val trudged through the undergrowth into a small clearing at the base of the mountain to find Brynjolf and Karliah waiting for them. 

Brynjolf’s eyes narrowed on the two interlopers with Aelyn, but he said nothing, leaning against the rock with his arms crossed. Karliah stood next to him, her skin the color of soft moonlight in the dark. Her amethyst eyes snapped up and settled on Aelyn with a small smile. 

“I’m glad you’re here.” Her voice was a deep velvet, pulling Aelyn in. 

“What’s the significance of this place?” Aelyn looked around, seeing only the boarded-up crag in the stone behind Karliah and nothing else of interest around them. 

“This is the headquarters of the Nightingales, cut into the mountainside by the first of our kind. We’ve come to seek the edge we need to defeat Mercer Frey.” Karliah motioned for them to follow as she turned toward the crag in the rock, pulling the boards free. 

“What kind of an edge?” The hairs on the back of Aelyn’s neck stood on end, and that strange quicksand feeling in the pit of her stomach returned. 

“If you’ll follow me, I’ll try to explain on the way.” Karliah stepped into the shadows of the cave as they all trailed behind her. 

“So this is Nightingale Hall. I heard about this place when I joined the Guild, but I never believed it existed.” Brynjolf remarked from behind Karliah, as he lit a torch to illuminate their way forward. The path narrowly wound deeper into the mountainside as they followed it. 

“The assumption that the Nightingales were just a myth was seeded within the Guild on purpose. It helped avert attention from our true nature. What’s wrong, Brynjolf? I can almost hear your brow furrowing.” Karliah smirked, glancing back to Aelyn like she had some fun secret. Aelyn frowned. She could feel the tension rolling off of Val behind her; he was ready for anything. 

“What happened to capturing Mercer alive?” Aelyn asked. Had that been the whole reason they were in this mess? Karliah’s twisted sense of justice was why they were even there.

“From the moment you were struck with my poisoned arrow at Snow Veil Sanctum, my path changed its course. Perhaps I couldn’t bring Mercer back alive, but together, we were able to clear my name and put Gallus’s memory to rest. I’d always intended Mercer’s fate to ultimately be decided by the Guild, and it seems they have spoken.” Karliah’s voice had taken on that velvet tone again, and Aelyn was finally wisening up to it. 

“You still should have shot him instead, “ she muttered under her breath. Val frowned beside her, his eyes trained on Karliah. She could see the wheels turning in his mind, but for now, he seemed to be keeping his ideas to himself. 

“Are we to become Nightingales then? Is that the edge you’re trying to gain?” Aelyn prodded further. 

“It is my hope that you will, yes.” Karliah paused as they rounded a bend in the tunnel. It opened into a large cavern beyond. 

“Religion and thieves make odd bedfellows.” Aelyn gave Karliah a discerning look. She should have listened to Val. Karliah was as skilled a manipulator as they came. 

“This isn’t about religion or destiny. This is nothing more than a business transaction between yourself and Nocturnal. Consider this an extremely risky job but with a massive potential for profit, and you’ll do fine.”

“I never met a thief that worshipped anything.” Aelyn’s trust in Karliah was running thin. Ultimately, she was still there because she wanted revenge on Mercer for having tried to kill her. 

“Nocturnal isn’t one for worship and reverence. There are no priests and no sermons, no services, and no alms. She influences our luck and, in return, demands payment.” Karliah paused, turning to face them. 

“Sounds like a Guild contract.” Brynjolf mused.

“You’re closer to understanding than you realize.” Karliah grinned at them, “The only difference is she doesn’t demand payment in the traditional sense, and sometimes the cost can be quite high. Whether you know it or not, Nocturnal dictates how well we perform as rogues.”

“I have my skill, not powers or magic,” Brynjolf argued. 

“Again, you have to think differently. Haven’t you ever noticed how our luck behaves? Like a novice picking an impossible lock or a blind man suddenly turning to face you as you reach for his pocket? It’s through these subtle means that Nocturnal influences us.”Her amethyst eyes drifted over to Aelyn as if she knew the thoughts that had suddenly sprung up in her head. 

Maven, a notoriously cunning businesswoman helping them out, how easily they had found the quill, how Vald had left the gate unlocked for them. Had that been Nocturnal’s influence?

“Tell me about the Nightingales. What is their purpose?” Aelyn inquired, trying to put the idea that Nocturnal had been guiding them to this point all along out of her mind. It didn’t sit well with her.

“The Nightingales protect the temple of Nocturnal, a place known as the Twilight Sepulcher.” Karliah led them into the cavern, down a set of stone steps that had been cut into the rock. “Welcome to the home of the Nightingales." Karliah waved to the open space before them. "You’re the first of the uninitiated to set foot inside in over a century.” The further they ventured into the cave, the more it looked like a dwelling. The rocks and dirt beneath their feet gave way to paved tiles, the walls transformed into carved stone, and small rooms had been built into the chamber. This had been a headquarters at one point, though how long ago that had been was up for debate. 

Remi tugged on Aelyn’s sleeve as they entered a long hallway, a sparkling glint in her eyes. 

“You’re going to become a Nightingale? How exciting!” She chirped. 

“I don’t know if I’d be getting too excited just yet. Karliah has yet to tell us the price.” Val scowled, “And if I know anything about the Daedra, it won’t be something easy to part with.”

“Had many dealing with the Daedra, have we?” Remi teased but the look on Val’s face had both of them falling silent. A chill snaked its way up Aelyn’s spine. She didn’t like this, not one bit. Karliah cleared her throat, motioning to a small alcove just off the main hall they entered.

 “Now, if you’ll both proceed to the armory to don your Nightingale Armor, we can begin the Oath.” She showed them to three stone monoliths in the alcove, emblazoned with a symbol Aelyn had not seen before. A blackbird, whose wings stretched upward to touch a dark disc. “Place your hands on the stone.” Karliah went first, pressing her hand against the symbol. 

Black smoke seemed to emit from the rock, and the light from Brynjolf’s torch guttered and shrank. The very shadows of the room seemed to draw nearer as the smoke engulfed Karliah and clung to her frame. This was indeed the armor of a servant of Nocturnal. The lines of her body seemed to shift with every flicker of the light; she was a shadow rather than a person. Cold dread wrapped around Aelyn’s heart. This was real. 

“To hold any hope of defeating Mercer, we must have Nocturnal at our backs. If she’s to accept you as one of her own, an arrangement must be struck.” Karliah explained, and suddenly, Aelyn began to understand. If Mercer had access to that power, then Karliah was right. They needed help. “The terms are quite simple. By transacting the Oath with Nocturnal, you’re entering into a business deal. You’ll be provided all of the power and knowledge befitting a Nightingale. You’re free to use those powers as you see fit to further your own goals or the goals of the Thieves Guild.”

“And in return?” Aelyn whispered, her fingertips brushing against the stone. 

“In return, you’ll be required to defend the Twilight Sepulcher and everything within when the need arises. More importantly, upon your death, your spirit will be bound to the Twilight Sepulcher as one of its guardians.” There it was. The price was simple and savage. Her immortal soul, bound in servitude for all eternity. 

As Aelyn touched the monolith, just as it had with Karliah, the black smoke engulfed her. It seeped into her very bones, both strengthening her, but also leeching something unnamable away like the light in her heart was flickering in and out. Aelyn turned toward Remi and Val, only to see the looks on their face grow more concerned. Literal shadows draped over her, her steps softer than they had ever been, her fingers quicker and more agile than she’d thought possible. Val’s frown deepened. 

“Please, follow me. It’s time.” Karliah beckoned them. Aelyn turned around to see Brynjolf had also activated the stones, his shifting form now one with the shadows. 

Karliah led them further down the hall to a gated cavern. The old magic that permeated the stones there seemed to hum with an ancient, primordial power. Inside were three dais that branched off of a central stone circle, each with the same symbol as the monoliths carved into their surfaces. 

“After I open the gate, please stand on the western circle,” Karliah instructed. 

She pulled a small chain beside the gate, and the iron bars lifted. Val and Remi waited by the entrance as Karliah, Brynjolf, and Aelyn made their way to their respective spots inside the cavern. Aelyn paused, reaching out for Brynjolf before they parted ways.

“Brynjolf,” Aelyn called his name softly, and he turned to her briefly. “Are you sure we should be doing this?” He glanced at Karliah, who was climbing into the stone dais. 

“If it means the end of Mercer Frey, then yes.” He looked into her eyes, and there was something unfamiliar there. He was plotting something. 

“Bryn, we’re talking about our immortal souls here… And something feels off about this.” Aelyn argued in a hushed whisper—one last attempt to talk sense into Brynjolf. 

“I think we should take the deal. You don’t understand what’s actually at risk here. We’re broke. If words get out about that, the lives of everyone in the Guild are forfeit. Do you understand that?” His voice turned harsh, “We would have to renege on every deal currently in the works, and what’s more, Mercer would still be at large. We’d be looking over our shoulders for the rest of our short little lives.” 

Aelyn deflated as he turned away from her. She watched him take his place on the stone dais to the right of Karliah before she made her way to the one on the left. Once they were each in position, Karliah began. 

“I call upon you, Lady Nocturnal, Queen of Murk and Empress of Shadow... hear my voice!” As Karliah called out into the cavern, the air shifted, charged with some ethereal presence that could not be defined. 

“Ah, Karliah. I was wondering when I’d hear from you again. Lose something, did we?” A voice echoed through the chamber, both far away and whispering into their ears at the same time.

“My Lady, I’ve come before you to throw myself upon your mercy and to accept responsibility for my failure.” Karliah fell to her knees, her head bowed in submission.

“You’re already mine, Karliah. Your terms were struck long ago. What could you possibly offer me now?” The voice seemed to shift through the area, drawing closer to Karliah.

“I have two others that wish to transact the Oath, to serve you both in life and in death.” Aelyn’s head turned slowly toward Karliah. What? This was barely about Mercer at all. Karliah was offering them up to placate her mistress, to redeem her own failure to protect the Twilight Sepulcher.

“You surprise me, Karliah. This offer is definitely weighted in my favor.” Oh, she had definitely gotten the Dark Goddess’s attention with that. Aelyn could feel the presence shifting over her, peering into her with curiosity. 

“My appetite for Mercer’s demise exceeds my craving for wealth, Your Grace.” Karliah continued. 

“Revenge? How interesting... very well, the conditions are acceptable. You may proceed.” The voice caressed the inside of her ears, soaking into her, eased by the shroud of shadows she was cloaked in.

“Lady Nocturnal, we accept your terms. We dedicate ourselves to you as both your avengers and your sentinels. We will honor our agreement in this life and the next until your conditions have been met.” As Karliah spoke, Aelyn felt something reaching into her chest to grip her heart. She winced as it squeezed tighter.

“Very well. I name your initiates Nightingale and I restore your status to the same, Karliah.” Suddenly it released, almost as if it had been burned, “And in the future, I’d suggest you refrain from disappointing me again.” 

Chapter Text

Aelyn stepped down off the dais, her hands still trembling as she pulled the hood of her cloak off, dispelling the shadow effect of the armor. What had that even been? The sensation of some mysterious force reaching into her soul and squeezing left her feeling bruised and shaken. It had released her so suddenly, too. Her thoughts were interrupted when she looked up to see Brynjolf and Karliah staring at her as she approached the circle in the cavern’s center. 

 “Now that you’ve transacted the Oath, it’s time to reveal the final piece of the puzzle to you: Mercer’s true crime.” Karliah lowered the hood of her Nightingale cloak, exposing her face, “Mercer was able to unlock the Guild’s vault without two keys because of what he stole from the Twilight Sepulcher... the Skeleton Key.” The way she said it belied that it was an artifact of great power. “By doing this, he’s compromised our ties to Nocturnal and, in essence, caused our luck to run dry.”

“So he has a fancy lock pick? I don’t understand what the big deal is.” Aelyn glanced at Brynjolf, who had also lowered his hood; his expression gave nothing away.

 “Well, yes. But the Key isn’t only restricted to physical barriers. All of us possess untapped abilities, the potential to wield great power, securely sealed within our minds. Once you realize the Key can access these traits, the potential becomes limitless.” 

“And Mercer has this thing?!” Aelyn’s eyes went wide, no wonder Karliah had insisted on seeking Nocturnal’s aid. It started to make sense, though, Mercer’s uncanny skill and how he’d picked the puzzle doors in Snow Veil Sanctum. 

 “If the Key isn’t returned to its lock in the Twilight Sepulcher, things will never be the same for the Guild.” Karliah continued, “As time passed, our luck would diminish to the point of non-existence. And whether you know it or not, our uncanny luck defines our trade.”

“You insisted that we seek out Nocturnal to give us an edge over Mercer, and while I think I understand why – I don’t feel any stronger.” Aelyn looked up to Karliah, who glanced away from her with only the slightest indication of guilt. “What? What is it?”

“With the Skeleton Key missing from the Twilight Sepulcher, I’m afraid Mercer’s seen to it that none of us can benefit from Nocturnal’s gifts.” The Dunmer explained softly. Cold fury sank into Aelyn’s core. 

“What?” Aelyn clenched her teeth. Karliah had sold their souls to a Daedra, but they received nothing in return. 

“You merely transacted the Oath and signed the unwritten contract with Nocturnal. In order for us to receive our abilities... our end of the bargain, I’m afraid the Key must be returned.” Karliah watched as rage overtook Aelyn. 

“You mean your end of the bargain!” Aelyn’s voice rose. Brynjolf laid a hand on her shoulder, unsure what Aelyn might try to do in such a state. She took in a deep breath and made to turn away from the pair when Brynjolf’s grip tightened on her. “What?”

“I’ve been pouring over the plans you brought us, and I’m convinced the Eyes of the Falmer are in the dwarven ruins at Irkngthand.” He cleared his throat. 

“Ikngthand?” Aelyn repeated the name. 

“Aye, it’s near the Night Gate Inn, on the border of Eastmarch.” 

“Let’s rest up here for the night, and we can head that way in the morning.” Karliah offered. Aelyn nodded reluctantly.

“We’ve one last thing to discuss before we’re done here.” Brynjolf shifted. While his voice and expression didn’t betray any insecurities, his body language did. He was nervous. “Before you arrived, Karliah and I had a long discussion.” Of course, they did. Aelyn frowned. 

“Fine, let’s hear it.” Aelyn crossed her arms over her chest. 

“There’s one last piece of business we need to settle before we go after Mercer... the leadership of the Guild.” He watched her carefully, her face a mask of impatience. 

“I don’t see how this has anything to do with me,” Aelyn muttered, desperate to be away from the pair of thieves.

“Well,” Brynjolf moved her hair back over her shoulder as he often did when he was trying to placate her. “We both feel,” he nodded to Karliah, “that you should replace Mercer as guild master.” Aelyn immediately pulled away from him, venom on her lips. 

“Hilarious, Brynjolf.” Aelyn rolled her eyes, but when neither of them moved, her brows bent in confusion. “You’re serious?”

“Aye, you have a loyalty to you that Mercer lacked.” Brynjolf reached for her, and she stepped away from him.

“Loyalty? Are you mad?” She laughed a little incredulously as she shook her head. 

“Aye, loyalty.” He said a little more firmly. “Look, you’re already bound to Nocturnal; you’re a natural like I’ve never seen before-”

“No.” She shook her head again. “Don’t delude yourself about why I’m here. I’m here to get Mercer because I don’t want to spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder, waiting for him to finish the job. That’s it.” Aelyn turned away and stormed past the cavern entrance where Remi and Val had been waiting. 

Aelyn found herself a small side room to hole up in, away from the others. The broken bed frame in the corner and dusty oil lamp indicated that it was once a bedroom. Against her instinct, too tired to root around for a match, she willed a tiny spark of fire within the lamp’s wick. Light flooded the room as she peeled the shadowy fabrics off of her. She felt a little lighter. Aelyn exhaled, sliding down the nearest wall onto the floor, her head between her knees. She hadn’t seen it coming. Sure, Karliah was working to her own ends, as was Brynjolf, but for them to team up to trap her… A knock on the broken door jam had her glancing upward. 

Val leaned against the frame. The warm glow from the oil lamp lighting his features in a devastating way. His green eyes rested on her, and a look of concern resided within them. 

“Looks like Karliah managed to bring two souls to Nocturnal in exchange for getting Mercer out of her way. I think she got the better of you and Brynjolf. You okay?” He watched as her eyes softened a bit, the corner of her mouth quirked upward before it almost crumpled, and she turned her face up toward the ceiling. 

“No.” She was so tired. It had been one thing right after another ever since they had set foot in Riften. “Now I owe part of my immortal soul to a Daedra in exchange for powers I didn’t even receive.”

“Sounds like a bad deal.” Val crossed the room and sat down beside her, “You know, if there’s one thing I’ve learned about the Daedra, it’s that they can’t make you do anything. They can make it really uncomfortable not to, though.” Aelyn leveled a look at him. 

“Oh really? And how many Daedra have you sold your soul to in order to become such an expert?” Aelyn smirked. Val chuckled but didn’t respond. “What am I supposed to do? Just say ‘No’ when Nocturnal comes for me in the afterlife?” He sighed deeply. 

“We’ll figure something out.” Val slung his arm around her shoulders and chuckled, “I can’t believe Brynjolf tried to make you the Guildmaster.” Aelyn shook her head and started to laugh with him just as Remi skidded into the room. Scrap slid out of her pack as she dropped it to the floor. 

“Ikngthad! A Dwemer ruin!” She exclaimed, sitting on her knees before the two of them. Aelyn laughed a little at her enthusiasm. 

“About that,” Val shifted, looking a little eager, “I know this is Nightingale business, but I’ll be glad to come with you. If nothing else, to find the Eyes of the Falmer.” He added quickly.

“Aw, are you worried about me?” Aelyn chuckled, and it was Val’s turn to roll his eyes.

 “I don’t think I could live with myself if Brynjolf saw them before I did. I wouldn’t mind seeing Mercer dead either.” His last words held a violent edge to them. 

“The Eyes of the Falmer, how exciting! I bet they’re shiny! We get to see a depiction of what ancient snow elves looked like before they mutated. I’ll have to bring my sketching materials…” Remi mused aloud. 

It wasn’t long before the three of them were huddled up against the wall, dozing off. Aelyn had shaken off the moth-eaten furs from the old bed and curled into his side with Val between her and Remi. She hid a small smile at Remi who snuggled close as well, where she usually would brave the chill to sleep alone. Apparently, the pirate was growing on her. Remi was always the first one asleep, intermittently snoring. 

Aelyn peeked up at Val’s face; his eyes were closed, and his breathing was even. He had one arm around her, and his free hand rested on his stomach, a golden sapphire ring on his forefinger. It wasn’t something she’d noted before but thinking on it, she couldn’t recall a time she’d seen him without it. Aelyn shifted slightly, still gazing at his long fingers, the callouses along his palms telling a story of his life at sea. The maritime tattoos that decorated even his hands were ink on the pages of his life. 

Slowly, careful not to disturb him, she gently reached out, tracing a weathered pair of crossed anchors on the web between his index finger and his thumb with her fingertip. Before she could stop herself, she slid her forefinger under his, hooking it gently, shifting her hand until it was nearly covered by his. Her fingers laced between his in an odd display, the heat from his palm diffusing into hers, when a soft chuckle had her pulling her hand back like it’d been stung.

“What are you doing?” Val asked with a small laugh. He’d been awake the whole time. Aelyn shifted away, but he tugged her back toward him. 

“Just… looking at your ring.” Her face was burning; what had she been doing? Trying to hold his hand? Like some stupid girl with a crush?

“This?” he lifted his hand into the light of the oil lamp as Remi shifted noiselessly beside him, still soundly asleep. “Just a little trinket I picked up.” He grinned; even her ears were red. Aelyn gave him a tentative sidelong glance when he didn’t tease her about trying to hold his hand. 

“Did you steal it?” She asked bluntly, and his shoulders shook a little with restrained laughter. He seized the moment her guard was down and recaptured her hand.

“No,” He smiled, his eyes closing once more as he intertwined his fingers with hers. “I overpaid for it at a jeweler’s like everyone else does.” He placed their hands right back where they had been before she had pulled hers away. “Anything else you wanna know?” Aelyn leaned back into him, letting her thumb lazily rub over his. 

“Just… I have a bad feeling about all this. Like I’m stuck in quicksand, and the more I struggle, the deeper I sink.” She stared into the darkness around them while a long moment passed. 

“We’ll be alright. Trust me.” He let his fingers thread through her hair. Aelyn let out a little laugh. 

“You know, whenever someone says that, it makes me not want to trust them. But this time…” She murmured, trailing off slightly. 

“Yeah?” He prompted, unsure why what she was about to say was tugging on his attention so insistently. 

“I want to trust you.” She said sleepily, resting her head on his chest, missing the small smile tucked away in the corner of his mouth. 

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

The lift jerked to a stop with a loud screeching of metal on metal. A ramp at the base descended toward a familiar pair of faces. Karliah and Brynjolf were waiting for them before a closed door. 

“Aye, there will be blood today. I can promise you that.” Brynjolf said to Karliah as they approached. 

“Do you think Mercer knows we’re here?” Aelyn asked, relieved not to have walked into a nest of Falmer at the bottom of the lift. 

 “Mercer’s been here,” Karliah said, nodding, “I hope we aren’t too late.” 

“We ran into some bandits on the way in,” Aelyn began when Karliah cut her off.

“Brynjolf and I found them like that. Mercer’s doing.” Karliah sent a glance toward Brynjolf, who didn’t react. Aelyn blinked at her; Karliah seemed a bit off. “We have to catch up to him before it’s too late.” 

“Alright…” Aelyn said slowly, wondering why they had left that man to suffocate like that if they had found the bandits. “Let’s get going, then.”

“We should tread carefully. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s left behind a few surprises for us.” Karliah began to push the door open before them carefully. 

“The lass seems to think old Mercer is pulling a fast one on us... leading us here and letting the dwarven constructs wear us down.” Brynjolf informed Aelyn as he moved to stand beside her. “I’ve learned to trust her lead at this point. After all, we Nightingales need to stick together, eh?”

“What are the Eyes of the Falmer? Gems?” Aelyn asked as Scrap ‘tick-tacked’ past her toward the door where Karliah waited.

“Not just ordinary gems. They’re said to be flawlessly cut and as big as a man’s head. Can you imagine how much they’re worth? Gallus and Mercer spent the better part of a month infiltrating Irkngthand, but the dwarves had protected the place far too well. There were just too many obstacles blocking the way. The plans were shelved, and the rest is history.” Brynjolf explained. 

 “Mercer’s been careful so far. I don’t think he’d just leave those plans behind unless he had his reasons. For someone in possession of the Skeleton Key, stealing the Eyes of the Falmer would be child’s play.” Karliah added. “No, he means to ambush us down here; I’m almost certain of it.” 

As they emerged onto a platform overlooking a large underground gallery. There were makeshift Falmer huts, indicating they were deep enough underground that they now needed to be wary of the vicious subterranean dwellers. They were violent shadows of the former Snow Elves that crept silently through the darkened caverns and ruins. Yet, a familiar figure crept toward a massive set of double doors on the far end of the open venue below. Karliah stiffened. She ran to the bronzed partitions that blocked the platform, making the larger area below inaccessible. Gas lanterns and strange glowing apparatuses left over from eons past still lit the cavern with an eerie greenish light.

“Wait a moment... what’s that? It’s Mercer! Look... down there!” She whispered in a panic. Brynjolf shook the bronze bars of the partition, moving along the segment, looking for a way through.

“I’m on it, lass.” He groaned in frustration, “Damn it! There’s no way through.”

“He’s toying with us. He wants us to follow.” She suddenly sounded calmer, as if she were reassuring herself. 

“Aye, lass... and we’ll be ready for him. Let’s keep moving.” He rubbed Karliah’s shoulder in a familiar gesture, and Aelyn paused. Was he… Did he like Karliah? 

Aelyn felt a little sliver of anger work its way into her chest. She didn’t mind if he liked her. That wasn’t the issue. It was how he had, even as recently as the day prior, attempted to manipulate her, trying to use their ‘relationship’ as leverage. She frowned. Had the tide of his intention changed so quickly? She suddenly wasn’t sure anymore. 

Following the walkway from the platform through a small corridor brought them into another large open cavern. The way forward was gated off. Remi nudged Aelyn, and she looked down from their elevated position to see two Falmer skulking about. As she scanned the cavern for the mechanism to lower the gate below, she spied two bronze levers, one at each end of the platform. Aelyn rolled her eyes. Of course, they would have to pull them at the same time. 

“Look at the size of this place. Have you ever seen anything like it in your life, lass?” Brynjolf remarked.

“Can’t say that I have. Imagine the riches hidden within these walls.” Karliah grinned. 

“Could we focus a little?” Aelyn interrupted, and Brynjolf smirked. “One of us has to go pull the other lever.” She motioned to the lever on the far side of the cavern. 

“What’s the matter, Lass?” He asked, turning toward her.

“There are two levers; someone needs to climb around to the other side and pull the second lever.” Aelyn glanced back at Remi and Val, who looked somewhat fed up with the situation. 

“Right.” Brynjolf raised his brow at her but made no move to assist. 

“You know what-” Aelyn felt her ire rising when a ‘thunk’ caught her off guard. Her attention snapped to the lever on the other side of the cavern. Scrap had scuttled across the platform, over the rubble, to the other side, and pulled the lever. Remi stood beside the other lever and grinned. 

“What a good boy Scrap!” She pulled the lever beside her, and the gate in the cavern below them lowered. Brynjolf frowned. 

“Well, at least someone around here is reliable.” Aelyn smiled at Remi as they descended to the cavern floor. Val, who had been leaning against the wall, kicked off it with a smirk. 

Sneaking past two Falmer huts, they found their way into the chamber they had previously seen Mercer escaping. The collapsed rubble within the open space made navigating the area difficult. Combined with the lurking threat of Falmer, crossing the venue was a slow process. Aelyn could hear the clicks and throaty language of the Falmer echoing throughout the cavern. 

“Is it just me, or did that sound like Chaurus moving around?” Val hissed in her ear. 

“The Falmer are known to keep them as pets…” Aelyn mused it was likely. 

“I’m gonna… Ah, go stand by Remi. To make sure she’s okay…” Val muttered, dropping to the rear of the group instead of the point position with Aelyn. She tried to contain a chuckle. So even the pirate had some fears. 

Aelyn stumbled forward unexpectedly. The ground trembled violently, followed by a thundering sound and eerie screams from the Falmer. A plume of dust and debris rushed past them, temporarily blinding their party. 

“Aelyn?” Remi called, “I can’t see!”

“Hush, there’s still the Falmer to worry about.” Karliah reprimanded her. 

“Just stay down. Everyone alright?” Aelyn asked softly as the dust began to settle. 

“Yeah, I think we’re all okay.” Val’s figure was just a shadow in the dim light of the cavern until he stepped closer. 

“Scrap?” Remi called, then more frantically, “Scrap?!”

“Keep yer voice down, Lass!” Brynjolf warned again. 

“H-he’s under this rock!” Remi cried. “Help me move it!”

Aelyn rushed back to Remi as she and Val strained to lift the massive piece of stonework that had landed on Scrap. She could hear the clicks and whistles of the Falmer drawing closer; all the noise they were making was attracting them to their location. The noises were the blind creature’s method of echolocation, and they were closing in. They needed to move quickly and quietly before a mess of Falmer was upon them.

“It’s a damn machine, leave it and let’s go!” Brynjolf snarled. 

“Oh no, oh Scrap.” Remi tried not to sob; the little guy had been partially crushed. His ‘head’ whirred disjointedly. “I’ll fix you, buddy, don’t worry.” Remi gently tucked him into her bag. 

Aelyn wasn’t sure how she sensed the blade before she saw it, but just as Scrap was securely stowed away, she yanked Remiel forward as a makeshift weapon cut through the plume of dust. They were on equal footing with the Falmer now, their vision obscured. The creature scurried forward with a hiss, striking out again, missing Remi by a breath. Its hollow and scarred eye sockets seemed to shift as if it was still ‘looking’ for them. The impossibly thin lips pulled back to reveal rows of razor-sharp teeth as it snarled. 

“New meat,” it growled in a shockingly clear common tongue. An echo of clicks and some sort of guttural language went off around the cavern. 

Val shifted and dropped the rock he had been holding onto the Falmer. It screeched in pain as its foot was crushed under the weight. In an almost animalistic response, it began clawing frantically at the stone, hissing and clicking wildly. In a split-second decision, Aelyn unsheathed her dagger and quickly slit its throat, silencing the creature. 

“We need to move.” Val urged. 

“Right.” Aelyn pulled Remiel to her feet, looking around and finding themselves abandoned by their other two compatriots. 

They hurried along the cavern’s wall, listening carefully for the approach of any other Falmer. Judging by the response they had heard, there were more still left in the area. Aelyn decided to take an upward route, hoping to rise above the settling dust to get a better view of the area’s layout.

Once they had climbed above the cloud of debris, she could see a tower had collapsed, blocking the path Mercer had taken forward. Aelyn frowned. They would need to find another way through. Brynjolf and Karliah were waiting for them just a little further along the path she had chosen. 

“So this is what we heard. The entire tower collapsed.” Brynjolf speculated. 

“The only reason to do that would be to block pursuit. It must be Mercer. We’ll have to find another way around.” Karliah nodded as they approached.

“Mercer was able to knock this thing down? Gods...” He was awed, and a hint of fear snuck into his voice for the first time. 

“It’s the Key, Brynjolf,” Karliah explained. “In his hands, there’s no telling what he’s capable of.”

“Nice of you to wait,” Aelyn remarked upon reaching their location. 

“We weren’t about to wait around to get stuck by some Falmer because someone wouldn’t stop yelling.” Brynjolf looked pointedly at Remi. 

“Excuse me-” Remi puffed out her chest, “I’ve been in more Dwemer ruins than-” Aelyn cut her a look, and Remiel let out a frustrated noise, holding up her hands. “Fine. Fine!”

“It doesn’t matter; we’re all here for the same thing.” Karliah reminded them.

“Are we?” Val asked with a raised brow. 

“This is getting us nowhere. We need to find a way through.” Brynjolf cut in again. 

The way forward was an exit built high into the cavern’s wall. A door led into a small antechamber, connecting it to another stairwell. The ruin was a maze of stairwells, narrow halls, and wide-open chambers. They descended another stair into a long gallery with a small stream that snaked through the bottom. Aelyn paused at the giant metal construct that stood before them. Even the Falmer that skulked about the chamber gave it a wide berth. It stood as still as the stone, but a faint hum could be heard. It was still very much operational. 

“Shor’s Bones! Look at that monstrosity.” Brynjolf muttered in awe of the giant.

“It’s a Dwarven Centurion. Very tough and very deadly.” Karliah informed him. He tapped Aelyn on the shoulder. 

“We can take the beast on or sneak around. It’s your call, lass. We’re right behind you.” He waited for her direction. If he pushed a little more and forced her to lead them through the ruin, perhaps she’d see how naturally she took on the role. It would make it easier on everyone if she could just agree to the Guild master position. 

It was a long path to the other end of the gallery. They would need to cross an elevated walkway to get there, setting them back on track to finding Mercer. Was it worth tangling with the Falmer to avoid the Centurion? Suddenly, Aelyn smirked. 

“I have an idea.” She motioned to Val. “I need your crossbow.”

“Alright.” He unslung the weapon and handed it to her. 

She loaded two bolts. Taking aim at one of the Falmer on the opposite side of the gallery, she fired. The bolt sank into the Falmer’s chest as it screeched. At least a dozen Falmer swarmed their injured comrade; a few lingered back, but the rest began to fan out in the direction of the stairs, searching for the assailant. That was when Aelyn shot the Centurion directly. Pandemonium immediately broke out. The Centurion screamed to life, a deep thrumming that sounded eerily like a heartbeat vibrated the air. The colossus began swinging at the Falmer, who were trying to get to the stairs, crushing their bodies with ease. 

“Let’s go!” Aelyn hopped down the side of the staircase. 

She handed the crossbow back to Val as he landed softly behind her. He smirked with a mischievous glint in his eyes that made Aelyn’s throat go dry. Gods, was she in so deep that just a look had her heart racing? No, no, it had to be Centurion slinging Falmer corpses all over that made her feel anxious. She swallowed hard and focused on the ground, clinging to the gallery wall. They crossed the space quickly, following the small stream across the cavern toward the ramp that led to the elevated walkway. 

“I didn’t realize you were so handy with a crossbow.” He said quietly, purring softly into her ear once they reached the ramp. Remi, Brynjolf, and Karliah followed just out of earshot. Aelyn mentally scolded herself for blushing again; she tried to shake the image of his smirk from her mind. 

“I’m a woman of many talents.” She whispered back, trying to let the compliment roll off her. She refused to meet his eyes, knowing the moment she did, she would be wholly distracted by the complex green and gold shades of them. 

“Is that so?” His gaze was like a physical touch, a caress that suddenly felt far too familiar. She could feel the weight of it slide up her body to her burning face and linger. “I can’t wait to experience more of your talents.”

“Val-” Aelyn hissed with a glance over her shoulder before he caught her eyes. 

“Yes?” He grinned, rather pleased with the effect her had on her. Aelyn chewed her lip for a moment. “What’s the matter, love?”

“Stop teasing me.” She said finally with a huff as they reached the elevated walkway. He stifled a laugh. 

“I haven’t done anything?” He tried to feign innocence until she cut a glare in his direction, and he chuckled. “Fine, fine. I’ll attempt to focus. I’ve been behaving all day, though. You should reward me a little.”

“I didn’t ask you to behave,” Aelyn muttered under her breath.

“What was that?” His attention locked onto her instantly, with a scalding intensity. Aelyn froze, eyes wide. Judging by the look on her face, she hadn’t meant to say it out loud. He glanced briefly over his shoulder as they turned down a long, partially obscured hallway. They had only a few moments before the others caught up to them.

“I-I didn’t-” She tried to backpedal as he gripped her waist, pulling her flush against him. 

“No, no. No, taking it back, I heard it.” He cooed as he let a devilish half grin fall across his face, his fingers tracing up her side. His breath was sweet as it feathered up the column of her throat, climbing in a slow whisper up to the shell of her ear as he murmured a warning against her skin. “Sweetheart, you’re going to have to be more careful with your words if you want me to keep my hands to myself,” she let out a little gasp, and he had to try his damnest not to nip the tip of her ear. “Because that sounded an awful lot like an invitation.”

He pulled back just enough to admire his handiwork. Watching with sublime satisfaction, he observed how her breath remained trapped in her chest, rising and falling deeply as her gaze settled on his lips. Oh, this was too much. How could he resist? The pull he felt toward her was magnetic, relentless, and unyielding. He didn’t understand it, but it seemed to strengthen with each passing day. He leaned in and let his lips brush ever so softly across hers, pulling back with a smirk as she rose to her toes to chase his kiss. He paused, just out of her reach. 

“Later.” He stepped away from her as the others rounded the corner behind them. Her brow furrowed with disappointment, and he had to let a small laugh escape him. 

Chapter Text

They found evidence of Mercer’s presence in the next antechamber, indicating they were back on the right path. He’d left a Falmer corpse, a few lock picks, and had cleared out anything of value. While the lack of treasure left a sour taste, Aelyn took a small comfort in knowing they were gaining on him again. As they delved further into the ruin, they began to see more signs of Falmer. Remi rummaged through what had been left behind with an almost frantic desperation. 

“Don’t worry, Scrap; I’m sure there’s some pieces in here we can use to fix you.” She whispered. Aelyn frowned, picking up an old gear and offering it to her. Remiel smiled sadly and took it. “Thanks; keep an eye out for more?” 

“Yeah, I will.” Aelyn pulled her friend into a hug, which she quickly pushed out of. 

“No, no, you’ll make me cry. We have to get out of here so I can fix him.” She wiped furiously at her eyes. 

“I know you will, Remi. You’ll fix him, and he’ll be better than ever.”

“The stench... this place reeks of Falmer.” Brynjolf bit back a gag as they entered the next chamber.

“This must be their hive. We’ll have to keep silent to avoid drawing their attention.” Karliah concluded.

The chamber they entered seemed to have partially collapsed from an age-old cave. Rock and dirt had claimed a large swath of the chamber. A sharp rhythmic ‘tink, tink, tink’ followed by what could only be mistaken as human voices made the hair on the back of Aelyn’s neck stand on end. They rounded the corner to a small platform overlooking a deeply disturbing scene. The room they had found was equipped with various devices designed to inflict horrific atrocities. Poisons and healing potions, in equal measure, sat on open work benches beside the advanced torture apparatuses.

“Even the Falmer don’t deserve the pain these implements must have inflicted. The dwarves were a cruel race.” Karliah remarked, but the blood in the room was fresh. A sensation of cold dread settled in the pit of Aelyn’s stomach.

“Let’s press on.” Brynjolf seemed eager to leave the room behind, whether in pursuit of Mercer or because the ghastly sight filled him with chill terror the way it did Aelyn, was indiscernible. 

The ‘tink, tink, tink’ of working pickaxes and the sounds of human voices became clearer as they drew closer. Their path turned down dark corridors, and stairs led them further into the depths. There were fewer working lights; it was dimmer, and the atmosphere was dank and moldy. 

“There’s a mass of Falmer in this chamber. We can sneak through or take them down... I don’t care. As long as we get to Mercer.” Karliah sounded impatient. 

Aelyn could see the glow of a fire; they were entering an area devoid of other light sources. The clicking snarl of nearby Falmer drew her attention. There were so many in this chamber, the equal of a small town. There was just enough light, though, that she could see the shadows huddled in the darkness behind the huts that filled the chamber, people. Her stomach churned. Their faces… She had to look away. The vacant stare of madness; of brokenness, threatened to suck her in. 

“We must work harder, “ one whispered to the others. Our masters will see our devotion.” Unexpectedly, he laughed, snickering. 

“Aelyn.” Remi tugged on her sleeve, a look of horror on her face. She nodded.

“We have to help them.” Aelyn turned to Brynjolf and Karliah. 

“Are you mad?” Brynjolf demanded in a hushed whisper. 

“We can’t leave them,” Remi chimed in. 

“Aelyn, listen to me.” Brynjolf laid his hands on her shoulders, “The moment we release them, every Falmer in this cave will turn on us. And there’s no guarantee that these people aren’t already totally brainwashed by the Falmer.”

“I’m not going to stand by. We have to help them.” Aelyn lifted her chin. Brynjolf stared at her a moment, something undecipherable churning in his eyes. He nodded. 

“Then what?” He looked at her expectantly. “You free them, then what?”

“I think that’s all we can do for them right now.” She frowned, “At least they’ll have some kind of a chance though.”

“And if those people attack you?” He asked. 

“Why would they attack me?” Aelyn scoffed, “I’m helping them.”

“Fine.” He folded his arms over his chest. “How do you want to do this?”

“Remi and I will sneak over to them and pick the locks on their chains.” Aelyn pulled out her picks. “You guys keep a lookout, and if you see any Falmer coming, click three times.”

Remi and Aelyn moved soundlessly through the shadows. The humans huddled behind the huts didn’t notice the two interlopers until they were almost on top. The one who had laughed earlier saw them, his eyes wide. 

“You! You have come to serve our masters.” He smiled. “Come, come!” The other began to stir, looking almost as crazed as the man who had addressed them.

“Shhhh,” Remi tried to hush him, “No, we’re here to free you.” They all seemed to go still at the same moment. 

“You blasphemer!” The man cried as he stood up, grabbing his pickaxe. 

“Damn it!” Brynjolf shouted; the Falmer had managed to slip past him. 

Val was making his way toward them as the humans began to attack them. Aelyn pulled out her dagger, sinking the blade into the man who had decried them first. He choked, smiled, and fell away. A chill ran down her spine. 

“You will bleed for our masters!” A woman screeched. 

The clicks and shrieks of the Falmer drew closer. Aelyn slit her throat, a cry died on her lips. Another woman had Remi pinned, reaching for a rock as she fired her crossbow into the woman. 

“Thank you…” She whispered, falling in a heap on top of Remi. 

“We need to go.” Val pulled the body off of Remi. 

“Too late,” Karliah yelled; the Falmer were upon them. 

No less than a dozen Falmer swarmed the area, heads tilting and jaws clicking as they searched for the intruders. Two cornered Karliah, striking out with claws and primitive-looking swords. She parried with her sword, disarming the one and cutting the second down with ease. Val gathered lightning in his hand, and the three Falmer closest to him snapped to him. He released the bolt into one while he cut through the other with his cutlass. The third had found his opening and raised its weapon high, only to stop short when Aelyn’s dagger found its throat. Two others tackled Brynjolf to the ground, clawing at him as he turned the blade of his short sword in the mid-section of one, and Karliah, who had dealt with the first two Falmer, ended the second that had been clawing at Brynjolf. Another shrieked as it launched itself onto Karliah; two more clicked and snapped their jaws, scurrying toward Aelyn, who felt the heat of her fire suddenly summon to the surface. Before she even realized what she had done, the last of the Falmer were screaming in flames. 

Aelyn gasped. It was getting far too easy to use that power. She hadn’t even meant to, but the last of their attackers lay in piles of ash at her feet. She was pulled from her thoughts as a very angry-looking Brynjolf stomped into her view.

“I couldn’t just leave them!” Aelyn yelled right back.

“And now they’re all dead!” He snarled, stepping into her space.

“I can hear water rushing through these pipes. We must be beneath a lake.” Karliah interrupted him. “We’re close. Let’s not waste any more time!” Brynjolf turned away from Aelyn and stalked forward with Karliah. 

“I…” Remi began, unable to find the words. 

“I know.” Aelyn sighed, looking upward. She just wanted to be done with this. “We tried.”

The tunnel was illuminated by subterranean glowing mushrooms as the air became filled with more moisture. The path took a sharp downward turn, and at the end stood a solid bronze door with a single lantern flickering above. 

“He’s close. I’m certain of it. We must prepare ourselves.” Karliah whispered, her voice laced with anticipation. She turned to Brynjolf.

“Then this is it. We do this for Gallus and for the Guild.” He nodded. 

They slipped inside the sanctuary, standing on a small landing right at the threshold before it dropped off a little ways to the floor of a massive cavern. They were instantly stunned by the enormous statute that dominated the room. It had to be nearly twenty feet tall, depicting an ancient snow elf sitting with a tome in its lap and a torch in its other hand, regally dressed. It sat against a stairway that wrapped around it, like the back of a chair. 

The blood that had pooled on the open pages of the book in its lap caught Aelyn’s attention. There were the corpses of two Falmer, and high above them, Mercer, prying the eyes from the ancient Snow Elf. 

“He’s here, and he hasn’t seen us yet. Brynjolf, watch the door.” Karliah hissed; there was no mistaking her bloodthirsty tone.

“Aye, lass. Nothing’s getting by me.” He moved behind them to find a way to bar the door. Karliah turned to Aelyn.

“Climb down that ledge and see if you can...”

“Karliah, when will you learn you can’t get the drop on me?” Mercer called from across the cavern. He stowed away the second gem as he dropped down to the two bodies below him. Strangely, he seemed less interested in Karliah, his eyes narrowing on Aelyn. “You.” A murderous gleam in his eyes as he smirked. “When Brynjolf brought you before me, I could feel a sudden shift in the wind. And at that moment, I knew it would end with one of us at the end of a blade.” Aelyn nodded, drawing the blade Karliah had given her in Winterhold—Gallus’s sword. 

“You’ve got that right. Give me the key, Mercer.” Aelyn called across the chasm. 

“What’s Karliah been filling your head with? Tales of thieves with honor? Oaths rife with falsehoods and broken promises?” Mercer laughed, “Nocturnal doesn’t care about you, the Key, or anything having to do with the Guild.” Aelyn shrugged. 

“I won’t be bound to her will or anyone else’s. Hand it over.” 

“Revenge, is it? Have you learned nothing from your time with us?” He pulled a small trinket from the pouch at his belt, a lock pick with a strange glowing gem at its base. Aelyn recognized it instantly as the Skeleton Key; it had to be. “When will you open your eyes and realize how little my actions differ from yours? Both of us lie, cheat, and steal to further our own end.”

“Are you done with your exposition? I’d like to get this over with.” Aelyn gave the sword a practice swing, testing it out. 

“Ha! Then the die is cast, and once again, my blade will taste Nightingale blood!” Mercer held up the Skeleton Key.

A pulse charged through the air, the landing they had been standing on crumbled, falling to the cavern floor. A deep rumble shook the ground, a hole in the ceiling broke open, and water began to pour into the cave. Aelyn rolled, trying to avoid the worst of the damage. Remi and Val jumped clear of it. Aelyn looked up to find Mercer gone. 

 “Karliah, I’ll deal with you after I rid myself of your irksome companions.” He had turned invisible, “In the meantime, perhaps you and Brynjolf should get better acquainted.” 

 “What’s... what’s happening... I can’t stop myself.” Brynjolf’s panicked voice echoed across the cavern as he drew his blade on Karliah. 

“Fight it, Brynjolf... he’s taken control of you!” She cried as he lunged for her. 

“I’m sorry, lass, I... I can’t...” He had completely lost control over his limbs, striking out a Karliah repeatedly. 

“Damn you, Mercer!” Karliah had no choice but to fight back, her sword connecting with Brynjolf’s. 

The cavern was flooding quickly. Aelyn sloshed through knee-deep water, searching for any signs of Mercer as Val and Remi made for the high ground, climbing the stairs that wrapped around the back of the statue. A shift in the air behind Val caught her attention. 

“Val! Behind you!” Her voice is cutting through the din of the rushing water. 

Mercer appeared a split second before he attacked. Val turned just in time, blocking his blade with the hilt of his cutlass. Aelyn made for them, her sword already drawn. 

“Your life is mine!” Mercer cried. 

Aelyn slipped on the wet stone steps as she sprinted toward Val. Remi took out her small dagger, sinking it unexpectedly into Mercer’s side while he was distracted with Val. Aelyn threw herself into the fray, shoving Mercer bodily away from Remi and Val. 

“Your fight is with me, Mercer!” She swung out at him viciously, and he backpedaled up the stairs. 

He struck down at her, and Aelyn slid, trying to sidestep the blow. Mercer swung the blade, using the momentum of the motion to attempt to cleave into her, but Val’s cutlass blocked the blow. Aelyn surged forward, Mercer glancing his sword off Val’s to block Aelyn. His eyes widened as he connected with her dagger instead. 

He coughed, blood spilling from his mouth, then he grinned. Gallus’s sword stuck into his side. She’d fooled him; he hadn’t been expecting the dagger. Aelyn pulled the sword free, and Mercer slumped. 

“Um, Aelyn? We have a problem!” Remi sounded frantic. “This place is filling with water!” 

“Damn! This place is coming down! Quick, get the Skeleton Key and the Eyes, and let’s get out of here!” Karliah called from the doorway; Brynjolf was finally free from Mercer’s strange spell. 

Aelyn quickly dug through Mercer’s pockets, finding the key. She tucked into the breast of her tunic. Remi pulled the Eyes of the Falmer from the sack Mercer had tied to his back. She handed one to Val and shoved the other into Aelyn’s pack. 

 “No luck here, lass. Something must have fallen on the other side of the door because it isn’t moving!” Brynjolf started to sound anxious. Another rumble and more cracks in the ceiling opened up; water was gushing into the cavern.

“We have to find another way out of here before the place fills with water!” Karliah tried to shove uselessly at the door. 

Aelyn felt something warm brush against her fingers. Val was holding her hand. She turned to him, her eyes wide.

“Val?” She breathed, terror soaked into her core. It was at that moment she realized they were going to die. 

The water continued to rise; they stood just behind the head of the statue at the top of the stairs that wrapped around it. Brynjolf and Karliah began to swim over to them. 

“Hey, it’s gonna be alright.” He said softly, his words calm.

“I’m sorry.” Tears began to stream down her face as her voice shook, “I’m sorry, this is my fault.” Aelyn started to babble as he pulled her into a comforting embrace. “I wanted revenge; we could have just walked away like you said, and now… This is my fault, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry…” The people she loved, her found family; their lives were forfeit, trapped in a watery grave where no one would find them. And it was her fault. Her gut churned as she sobbed.

“It’s alright,” He whispered. Val squeezed her hand. “Here,” He took the sapphire ring off his forefinger and slid it onto her thumb. “I want you to have it.”

The metal was still warm from its contact with his skin. Aelyn shook her head in confusion, but he just smiled softly. She stared into his gold-green eyes for a long moment until the shock of cold water pooling around her ankles made her jump. This was goodbye. Aelyn turned to Remi and pulled her into a tight hug. 

“I don’t want to die here.” Remi started to sob. Val pulled them both in tight. 

“You’re not alone.” Aelyn whimpered as the water gathered around her waist. 

Another violent rumble shook the chamber, the water rushing up to their shoulders. They swam out into the central area of the cavern as the ceiling was higher there. Aelyn looked at Val as they pressed their heads against the roof of the cave, sucking in that last breath of air before they were completely submerged. 

At the moment the water had filled the sanctuary completely, Aelyn felt another strange pulse, much like the one she’d felt when Mercer had done whatever magic he’d cast at the beginning of their fight. It took her a moment to realize it had originated from the key. The water vibrated around them, and a muffled crash reached her ears. Her lungs started to scream for air, and an involuntary reflex forced her to gasp. She didn't choke; somehow, she was breathing in the water. Val's ring gleamed on her finger; that bastard didn't bother to tell her it was an enchanted ring! Though, if she had known, she likely wouldn't have let him put it on her. Her inner turmoil was interrupted by someone tugging on her sleeve. It was Karliah.

Karliah pointed toward the crown of the statue and began to swim. Aelyn looked around, snatching Remiel’s hand and pulling her along in the direction Karliah had gone. Val brought up the rear behind them. A large chunk of the ceiling had broken apart, creating an opening. Aelyn eagerly reached for Val's hand just as another violent tremor shook the area, causing a few larger rocks to fall away from the opening, creating an easy ramp up and out of the water. 

Aelyn’s head broke the surface, and she gasped, drawing air into her burning lungs. Remi made for dry ground, pulling herself out of the water. Karliah and Brynjolf stood in what looked to be a naturally formed tunnel, waiting for them. Fresh air was blowing in from somewhere nearby. Her feet touched the rocks, and she climbed out of the water. Remi threw her arms around her.

“By Sheor, we almost died. We’re alive!” She cried. Aelyn grinned, turning to Val. 

“Val! We made it!” But the laugh died on her lips. He wasn’t standing behind her. 

Ice shot through her veins. Val floated, face down, in the water just behind her; a bloody cut on the back of his skull tinged the area around him red.

“Val?” The scene didn’t make sense to her. What was he doing just floating in the water? 

“Oh Gods,” Remi gasped, and Aelyn couldn’t understand what she was upset about until Val didn’t move. 

“Val?” Her hands shook, her brain not registering what was happening as she turned him over. “Val?” Aelyn called more urgently. “Val!” she yelled, no, no, no, no… Her hands shook so badly that she struggled to grip his jacket. “Someone help me!” Her voice broke as she tried to drag him out of the water. 

Remi was beside her instantly; Brynjolf, however, was the one who hoisted him onto the cavern floor. Aelyn tried to slap his cheek gently. This wasn’t real. It couldn’t be real. They’d survived; it was going to be okay; she could hear the sounds of the forest just around the bend in the tunnel. 

“He-He’s not breathing!” Aelyn sobbed, “Help, someone, help him!”

Chapter Text

“Aelyn!” Remi called, shaking her shoulders. 

“Remi, what do I do?” Hot tears blurred her vision. Oh Gods, he was dead; this wasn’t possible. “He’s not breathing, Remi, what do I do?”

“You’re gonna have to breathe for him.” Remi started pulling Val’s jacket off of him. Aelyn tossed her pack to the side, kneeling down next to Val’s body. “I’m gonna get started on that wound on his head.” She pulled out one of the healing potions they had found earlier. 

“How do I do that?” Aelyn lifted him up enough that Remi could pour the potion onto his wound. The wound began to close, and a thrill shot through her. It was working, which meant he was still alive!

“Okay, lay him flat and tilt his head back. You’re gonna have to blow air into his lungs.” Remi placed her hands on his chest, waiting for Aelyn to move. 

Aelyn suddenly snapped to, realizing Remi was waiting on her. She gently tilted his head back, sealing her lips over his and breathing into his lungs. She pulled back to watch his chest slowly rise and then begin to deflate before she did it again. 

“Remi, it’s not doing anything.” She sounded frantic; seconds were ticking by, and with every passing moment, the reality that he wasn’t waking up threatened to break her. Remi pressed on his chest forcefully, once, twice, three times – water shot out of Val’s mouth. 

“Do it again!” Remi’s voice shook. 

Aelyn didn’t need to be told twice; she breathed for him again, once, twice, and Remi began pressing on his chest. More water expelled from his mouth, and then… he coughed. His body twitched violently; Val rolled to his side, coughing uncontrollably. Aelyn yanked him into her arms. 

“Aelyn-” He rasped between fits of his lungs trying to force out whatever water was left. His voice was sore; she shoved him back. “What-”

“You bastard!” She shrieked, getting to her feet, tears streaming down her face as she stomped away from him. Brynjolf and Karliah stepped to the side and let her pass. Remi wrapped her arms around Val suddenly. 

“You can’t die, Val.” Remi’s voice trembled. 

“Aren’t I not dead?” He let out a small laugh, hugging her back. 

Aelyn stomped past Brynjolf and Karliah. Brynjolf caught her by the elbow, and she paused; he had a complicated expression on his face. She was too upset to care, but it seemed there was one last piece of business that the three of them needed to conclude. Or, more precisely, that Aelyn needed to conclude. 

“Aelyn,” he said her name in a tone she’d never heard him use before. It was… soft. Not sickly sweet or that gentle purr he liked to use on her, but genuine. 

“One more task?” She couldn’t return the sentiment. She was too jaded by their antics. 

“Aye.” He sighed, his touch lingering on her arm for another moment for his hand dropped to his side. 

“I can’t believe it’s over. Twenty-five years in exile, and just like that, it’s done. All that remains is to ensure the safe return of the Skeleton Key.” Karliah sounded relieved; even her expression seemed lighter. 

“Sounds like it will be a simple task.” Aelyn pulled out the key, ready to hand it over to Karliah, who shook her head, refusing to take it. Aelyn’s shoulders fell. So this was their next demand. “You want me to return it.”

“When the Skeleton Key was stolen from the Twilight Sepulcher, our access to the inner sanctum was removed. The only way to bring it back will be through the Pilgrim’s Path.” Karliah explained. 

“I’m done doing tasks for you. Return it yourself.” Aelyn tried again, but Karliah simply stepped back from her. 

“Lass, this…” He glanced over to Remiel and Val, who was sipping down a healing potion. “This will be the last task.” Aelyn regarded him with suspicion. 

“I have your word on that?” She lifted her chin, wondering if she could trust anything that he said. 

“Aye. Return the key for us, and…” He gazed into her eyes for a long moment, “And I’ll make sure you’re free… Until you decide to come back.” She wasn’t sure she liked the sound of that arrangement; too many loopholes. But, she’d take it. Aelyn turned to Karliah once more. 

“I take it you never used the Pilgrim’s Path?” She asked, knowing Karliah was likely to have precious little information about what she’d be facing in the sepulcher. 

“It wasn’t created for the Nightingales. It was created to test those who wished to serve Nocturnal in other ways. As a consequence, I have no knowledge of what you’ll be facing.” For what it was worth, it seemed that Karliah did feel some sense of remorse for sending Aelyn in blind.

“Then I’d best get started.” Aelyn crossed her arms over her chest. 

“Brynjolf is needed back at the Thieves Guild to keep order while you’re away. And I... I can’t bear to face Nocturnal after my failure to protect the Key…” She trailed off, her ebony hair falling over her shoulder as her gaze fell to the cavern floor.

“Don’t worry. I’ll return the Key.” Aelyn caught Brynjolf’s eyes once more, “Just keep your promise. I’m free after this.”

“Aye. You’re free to return to the Guild whenever you’re ready to.” Brynjolf genuinely seemed sad, and he kept glancing toward Remi and Val. Was he finally realizing that she was never going to stay? Karliah unslung her bow and pressed it into Aelyn’s hands as she and Brynjolf prepared to depart. 

“Take this with you. I’m not certain if it will help within the walls of the Sepulcher, but I certainly don’t need it as much as you. I’ve had this bow almost my entire life, and it’s never let me down. I hope it brings you the same luck.” Karliah smiled softly, then turned and left Aelyn standing at the entrance to the cavern. 

“Ugh, that beautiful statue…” Remi moaned, standing from Val’s side. 

“Are we gonna have some fun with that key before you return it, or what? I have some ideas if you don’t.” Val grinned, but Aelyn simply stalked out of the cave without even looking at him. “She’s pissed.” He sighed, leaning back against the cave wall for a moment before getting to his feet. 

“About what? You’re alive! And all we have to do is return this key, and we’re done!” Remi couldn’t understand why Aelyn wasn’t sharing in their good spirits. 

“The ring I gave her before the cave flooded had a water-breathing enchantment on it,” Val confessed. 

“Wait, a… A what?” Remi’s face dropped, “What about me?! You were just going to let me drown?!” Val tried not to chuckle. 

“No, it’s not like that. I figured should the worst happen, if anyone was going to bring us back from the dead, it’d be her.” He tried to fix his hair before dusting the rocks and dirt from his wet clothes, “Looks like I was right.” Val followed after Aelyn, knowing he needed to set things right before they continued on. 

He found her sitting in the snow on the edge of the lake just outside the cave entrance. She looked… Tired. The wind whipped her hair about her face frantically, and she did nothing to stop it; she simply gazed out at the frozen water. He sat down beside her, and she pointedly looked away from him. 

“Oh, come on, it’s not like I died.” He smirked, but the half grin fell away instantly when her head whipped around, and he saw the look in her eyes. “Sorry.”

“How could you…” She didn’t even finish her sentence before her tears started to fall. “You were going to just leave me all alone…” Her voice cracked, and before he even realized what he was doing, he was pulling her into his arms. It would have broken her to have lost them both like that, knowing it was her fault, that she’d pulled them into her mess, and it’d cost them their lives. 

“I knew you’d come through,” He smoothed her hair, resting his chin on the top of her head. She sat back and shoved his ring into his hand. 

“Don’t you ever take it off again.” She scolded him, and he couldn’t help but smile. 

“Don’t worry, I’d only leave so you’d miss me.” He slid the ring back on his finger as she rolled her eyes at him. 

“I’m not sure death counts.” Aelyn wiped at her face. 

“Clearly, it does.” He stood up and offered her his hand. She took it, and he pulled her to her feet. “So, you’re going to return the key on your own? So much for the Nightingale Trinity. You know, Karliah could teach me a thing or two about running a scam.”

“Yeah, but I won’t have to return to the guild, and we have the eyes,” Aelyn smirked, turning toward the cave once more to find Remi emerging, looking concerned as she held Aelyn’s pack as well as her own. 

“We’ll have more coin than you’ll know what to do with. Maybe we can finally update your wardrobe. Though, I can’t say I mind that black jumpsuit look if you wanted to switch back to that.” He raised an eyebrow at her. She blushed, feeling his eyes rake over her. 

“I wouldn’t celebrate too quickly,” Remi said angrily. 

“What is it?” Val watched as she shook Aelyn’s pack. 

“They took the eyes!” Remi yelled. 

“They did what?” Aelyn snarled. Of course. That’s what Brynjolf had meant by she’d come back. He had snatched them while they were saving Val’s life, knowing she’d come back for the eyes and right back to the guild.

Chapter Text

Aelyn stood beside Val before the great arches of Frostmere Crypt in the Pale. The ruin hadn’t been terribly far from where they’d ended up after escaping Irkngthand. A day and a half worth of travel through the frozen north had brought them to the entrance of the grand, yet crumbling ruin. Remi had headed back to Markarth to fix Scrap, an endeavor that was likely to take a few days. Trying to make the most of their time, Aelyn and Val decided that while Remi patched up the beloved little automaton, they could try to make a little coin in the meantime. Val had proposed to investigate the crypt; he’d asked about it before they’d left Riften as well, their ‘date,’ as he’d called it. Aelyn hoped there would be something of value for them to bring back to the museum. They needed the money desperately. Then, they would take the carriage from Solitude and regroup with Remi in Markarth before seeking out the Twilight Sepulcher. Yet, the sound of a fight headed in their direction had them hesitating to approach. 

A dark-haired Nord woman came running down the steps of the crypt with three bandits on her tail. With her sword drawn, she tried to fight off her attackers. 

“Damn, not now!” She cried, her blade clashing with the other bandits. 

“Get her!” One yelled just before she sank her sword into his gut. Aelyn sighed and drew her dagger, charging into the fray, not about to watch an unfair fight of three against one. 

“Hey, what are you- damn it!” Val grumbled, following suit. 

As the Nord woman deflected a blow from one of the bandits, Aelyn’s blade found its way in between his ribs. Val took on the last assailant; between his lightning spell and the sharp edge of his cutlass, he made quick work of the situation. The woman stood panting, staring at them for a moment. 

“Who in Dagon’s name are you? Speak, or I’ll cut you down where you stand.” She held her sword out at arm’s length at them. 

“That’s a strange way of pronouncing ‘Thank-you.’” Val rolled his eyes.

“What’s going on here?” Aelyn asked, lowering her weapon but not sheathing it. The woman did the same. She sighed deeply. 

“I was part of the gang in the ruins here. A friend of mine went crazy and stole the boss’ sword. They blamed me for it. Look, I’m done here. Mop the floor with these idiots for all I care. Just stay out of my way.” The woman sheathed her sword. 

“Have it your way then; we’ll see to the rest of them.” Aelyn shrugged. The woman didn’t pause; she was overly eager to be gone from the place; it was written all over her expression.

“Hmph. Suit yourself.” Were her only parting words before she took off toward the Northern road. Aelyn glanced at Val. He paused, looking thoughtful for a moment. 

“It’s unusual to see a hardened fighter spooked like that. Are you feeling alright about this?” He asked. 

“Don’t tell me you’re worried?” Aelyn smirked. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.” Val shook his head and chuckled. 

“Well, I do feel better with you watching my back. Let’s go then.” 

They climbed up to the ruin’s entrance. A small vestibule protected the door, and a fire was still going, with a few bed rolls laid out around it. Val and Aelyn pushed the door open, pausing just inside, listening for the bandits they knew were within. A long set of stairs led them down into the crypt. Just outside the threshold of the first landing, they heard voices and tucked themselves into the small space behind the partition that separated the stairs and the small landing. Two bandits sat at a table, clearly working as the lookouts for the main camp further in. 

“But Eisa? She’s smarter than that…” One said with a concerned voice. 

“Ra’jirr was always dragging her into things.” The second sighed. 

“But stealing the boss’s sword? Did he have a death wish?”

“Who knows, the cat was crazy. She was a fool to trust him.”

Aelyn decided it was time to test out Karliah’s bow before they were noticed and knocked an arrow. Val watched her draw it back with more than a hint of admiration. She glanced at him just before she released the arrow. Her first shot was dead on; the arrow found its mark in the back of the bandit’s neck. Aelyn quickly knocked a second arrow, letting it fly with slightly less time to aim. It struck true and sank into the chest of the second bandit. Val leaned back as a third bandit came running out of an alcove that had been tucked away out of sight; he paused at the sight of his dead comrades. Aelyn dropped the bow and drew her dagger. Before the man even had time to react, she’d slit his throat and left him on the floor of the crypt. Val leaned against the entryway, grinning. He was enjoying watching her do all the work it seemed. 

“Feel free to get in on the action.” She wiped her blade clean. “I’d hate to be selfish.”

“Oh? What if I enjoy watching?” He crossed the landing to stand before her.

“What a shame; I prefer more active participation.” She was goading him and was likely out of depth, but it didn’t stop her. He paused like he was waiting for something. 

“What is it?”

“Forgive me for staring.” He grinned. So that was it; he was playing a game. Aelyn rolled her eyes. 

“I’ll have a painting done for you; it’ll last longer.” She picked up the bow, ready to move on. 

“You make a stunning portrait. In fact, I-” The loud ‘thunk’ of a door slamming closed nearby cut him off. “Did you hear that?”

“We should keep moving. You can try and flirt later.” Aelyn followed the route before them down the stairs toward the noise they’d heard. 

“Try?” He sounded mildly offended. “Sweetheart, you’d better be prepared if you’re going to keep trying to get a rise out of me.” She paused, a devious smirk on her face. 

“Is it working?” She asked. Val blinked; she’d always been so quick to blush. He wondered what had her feeling so bold all of a sudden. Not that he minded. “Am I getting a rise out of you?” He bit his lip. Gods be damned, he’d have his revenge for that little quip later.

Aelyn had to turn away from him before she completely lost her sense. She crept down the stairs, trying to maintain her focus on the path forward and not on the look Val had just leveled at her. His eyes burned, and when he’d bit his lip, she’d nearly dropped her bow again. She rubbed her eyes, trying to push the image from her mind; it had shot a thrill through her so intense that she was still trying to catch her breath. The man was criminally handsome, and he knew it. 

They cleared each room of valuables as they went along, finding the journal of one ‘Eisa Blackthorn’. Aelyn concluded that she had to have been the bandit they had assisted in front of the ruin. Her journal detailed their departure from another gang near White River and how they had ended up in the Frostmere crypt. Additionally, the growing madness of her friend, whom she chose to abandon.

“That bandit was quick to jump ship from anywhere. Including her supposed friend, the Khajiit. An occupational hazard I’m too familiar with.” Val remarked, reading over her shoulder. A pair of voices right outside the room made them both jump. 

“The boss went down there? Today?” A concerned male voice asked.

“Yeah, he’s after Ra’jirr; I’ve never seen him so angry.” A second replied; they were drawing closer.

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this. Something’s felt wrong down there lately.”

“Now you’re sounding as crazy as the cat. You’ll be going on about the pale lady next.” The second voice laughed as they rounded the corner, entering the room where Aelyn and Val hid. 

The four of them stared at one another for a brief moment. One of the bandits inhaled to yell for help, but Aelyn rushed him before he could get the noise out. Her dagger opened his throat and plunged into his chest in a fluid motion. The second was cut down by Val’s cutlass a split second later. They nodded to one another, creeping out of the room and back into the main thoroughfare. 

“There’s a whole shift down there.” Someone was arguing; their voice drifted up a set of wooden stairs to where Val and Aelyn perched, listening in. 

“Kyr’s orders, nobody goes in or out until he gets back. Or the boss will skin you as soon as he’s done with Ra’jirr.” A second voice replied. 

 The ‘thunk’ they had heard earlier was the drawbridge that connected the upper area of the ruin to the catacombs below being raised. Val and Aelyn would have to lower it again in order to press on. Something strange was happening in this ruin: a seeming case of madness, a valuable sword, and everyone seemed on edge. Aelyn moved to knock another arrow, ready to take out the two bandits below them, when Val laid a hand on her shoulder. 

“Please. Allow me.” He grinned, gathering lightning in his hands. 

“Such a gentleman.” Aelyn chuckled, but when he released two arcs of energy at the same time, she gasped in surprise. “You’re getting better!” She looked from the now-dead bandits back to Val with wide eyes. 

“I’ve been getting plenty of practice thanks to a certain someone.” He descended a few steps and held out his hand for her. 

Aelyn tentatively placed her hand in his; he wrapped his fingers around hers, bringing her knuckles to his lips briefly before they reached the bottom of the steps. She felt her face heat and he grinned, feeling pleased with himself. They entered a side chamber, searching for the mechanism to lower the wooden bridge that connected the upper ruins to the lower area. 

A bandit sat on a lookout, overseeing the area that connected the now-lifted bridge. Her chair faced away from them as they snuck up behind her. Aelyn pulled out her dagger, soundlessly positioning herself behind the bandit’s chair before she sprung forward and stumbled. The woman jumped up, toppling over Aelyn in her attempt to draw her sword. Val ran his cutlass through her chest. The bandit choked and slid to the ground. Aelyn stood up, brushing herself off, shoving the bandit’s body to the side. 

“What was that about?” Val looked her over quickly; she wasn’t generally so clumsy. 

“I think there’s something wrong with my boot…” She sat in the chair, reaching down for her foot, when Val suddenly pushed her back. 

“Allow me.” He had a mischievous glint in his eyes. 

“What are you up to?” She sat back as he kneeled between her legs. 

“You’re so suspicious; I’m just being helpful. You broke a lace. I can fix it.” He carefully removed her boot, letting his hand slide down her leg. 

“Oh, come on,” Aelyn rolled her eyes. “Let me just knot it, and we can—” Val tutted at her. 

“With the right skills and a little patience, things last longer.” He watched her with an amused expression as she huffed. 

“How prudent of you,” Aelyn grumbled. 

“Well, I had to learn how first.” Val unraveled the lace and began winding the broken ends together. “And… Practice.”

“Maybe you should check the other one while you’re down there.” She remarked with no small amount of sass, and he gave her a devilish smirk. 

“Of course.” His fingers moved so quickly that Aelyn found herself watching with interest. He slid the boot onto her foot, lacing it up. “Anything else while I’m down here?” He raised a brow at her, his hand drifting up her leg with a feather-light touch. “I could offer a few suggestions if you need some inspiration.” His mouth grazed the inside of her knee as he said it, and Aelyn squeaked.

“You’re really good with knots.” She said suddenly and winced. Her voice was shockingly high in pitch as she internally admonished herself for saying something so insipid. 

“I wouldn’t be much of a sailor if I wasn’t, but I’m a man of many talents. What can I say?” He leaned into her, the chair she sat in tilting back slightly, “Perhaps I could give you a demonstration sometime. Or… on you.”

“You want to demonstrate on me?” Aelyn laughed a little before his true meaning dawned on her. She felt herself heat up instantly, and it must have been written all over her face because Val couldn’t stop grinning. 

“Yes.” He leaned closer, his hand inching upward. She suddenly forgot how to breathe and had to gasp for air. 

“You want to tie me up?” She whispered breathlessly; his thumb was stroking the inside of her thigh as his other hand gripped her waist. Her whole body responded to his touch, hyper-aware of his every movement. The stroke of his thumb, higher and higher, his grip on her waist, the proximity of his lips, she couldn’t stop herself from staring. He locked eyes with her; he was serious.

“Oh yes.” He murmured, and she felt her core clench. The chair tilted back just too far, and Aelyn lost her balance. Her arms flailed as she wildly tried to grab onto something, inadvertently pulling the lever next to her and lowering the wooden bridge with a loud 'BANG'. Val held the back of the chair so she didn’t overturn completely, shaking with laughter. It took him a moment to collect himself before he helped her up. “Let’s keep moving,” he said with a grin. 

The further they traveled into the ruin, the heavier the air seemed to be. There were a few bandits in the depths below the surface. Aelyn and Val easily snuck up on them, ending them with little to no fight. Aelyn could feel Val’s lingering looks as they moved deeper into the crypt. She hadn’t stopped blushing since he’d confessed his little idea about the rope. 

It made her heart race; she couldn’t stop thinking about it. She’d been craving his kiss since his stunt in Irkngthand nearly three days ago. Before she’d almost gotten him killed. Aelyn deflated at the thought. The image of him face down in the water still haunted her. She didn’t want to take the time to dissect why, but bad things seemed to happen to the people she got close to. They were about to open another iron door when Val stopped her. 

“Hold on a moment-” 

“Hmm?” Aelyn turned toward him, pushing the morbid thoughts from her mind. He reached out, his fingertips tracing the curve of her face. 

“You have some dirt on your cheek.” He grinned, and she frowned. She couldn't stop herself from wondering what she would do if anything took that stupidly infectious smile from her.  

“Are you alright?” He asked; she seemed off. 

“Yeah.” Aelyn forced a smile to her lips. “Yeah, I’m just… Really glad we got to do this. I’m glad you’re here.” Her honesty surprised both of them, and his smile changed from cheeky to something softer. 

“Me too. Hey, I-” He pulled her closer, but a cry of pain on the other side of the door made them both freeze. 

Aelyn stepped out of his arms and cautiously opened the door. An ethereally beautiful underground grotto lay sprawling before them. Torch bugs blinked in and out, sparkling over a still pond. Trees whispered as a breeze from an opening in the cave ceiling let fresh air in. An ancient stone altar sat upon a large carved dais in the center of the pond. Aelyn gasped; it was beautiful. 

Another gasp of pain caught her attention. A man lay half propped against a boulder, just a few feet from the door, his innards in his lap. He didn’t even bother to clutch at his wound but sat back against the rock like he was awaiting his death. He did perk up, noticing Aelyn and Val’s presence. 

“Finally, someone came…” He coughed, blood spattering his lips. “I… The cat, Rajiir,” he gasped desperately, coughing up more blood; he wasn’t going to make it. “Ambushed me.” He sucked in another breath, “He’s trying to… Put the sword back.” The man’s head lolled, “I can’t…” 

His eyes closed, his body twitched, and he was gone. The moment he expired, bright orbs began to fly about his body, dispersing toward the pond in the center of the cavern. Aelyn could see the figure of a Khajiit with a strange-looking blade approaching the altar there. 

“Wisps! Weapons ready and look alive. The mother won’t be far off.” Val unslung his crossbow. 

Aelyn wasn’t entirely sure what was happening, but she knew that they needed to stop Ra’jiir from returning the sword. She took off, sprinting toward the pond, but it was too late. As the Khajiit approached the altar with the sword in hand, the Pale Lady emerged from the stone and struck him down. 

Chapter Text

The Pale Lady rose from the stone dais, an ear-shattering cry rent from her form. Aelyn stumbled backward, suddenly unsure. She’d fought many creatures: Bandits, Draugr, Wolves, Falmer, Chaurus, and even Frostbite Spiders. Never a Wispmother. She watched in horror as ice gathered in its hand. 

Val fired off his crossbow, a bolt sinking into the Wispmother’s shoulder; it screeched in pain. Aelyn gripped her dagger, and despite Val being the aggressor, the apparition seemed wholly focused on Aelyn. It floated up a foot or so before summoning two shades of itself, all intent on her. The trio rushed Aelyn all at once, who yelped and stumbled backward, narrowly missing an attack of claws and frost. 

“Aelyn! Get up!” Val yelled as he fired two more bolts into the Wispmother. 

The creature was gearing up for another attack on Aelyn while the two shades engaged Val. Aelyn rolled to the side and sprung to her feet. The Wispmother slung ice shards, sharp as razor blades, through the air at her. She couldn’t dodge in time; Aelyn covered her face with her arms and felt her magic spring to life. The fire within her burst forth, and she heard the scream of the Wispmother. She hazarded a peek over her arms to see the thing crying out and acting… Afraid of her. Was it the fire? Could it sense her magic?

Aelyn conjured up another ball of fire in her hand as the Wispmother did the same with her ice. Aelyn was ready to incinerate the thing when an angry cry distracted her. Her head whipped around, Val. Her heart started to pound, and she missed the incoming spell that hit her squarely in the chest, sending her backward a few feet. 

It hurt; the cold burned her skin, and ice lodged into her chest. Aelyn screamed in pain. The Wispmother charged her again, and this time, Aelyn let her fire loose. The apparition was engulfed in flames; it cried and screeched as it burned. Aelyn rolled over to her hands and knees, clutching her chest, trying to force herself to breathe. 

“Are you alright?” Val was suddenly beside her, trying to help her up. 

“The shades…” Aelyn rasped, and he shook his head. 

“They dissipated as soon as the Wispmother died.” He frowned at the ice and blood on the front of her tunic. “Let me see.” He sat her down and pulled her tunic open. He frowned at the blackening circle in her chest. 

“I’ll be okay-” Aelyn started to close up the front of her tunic, feeling embarrassed. 

“Let’s get you a healing potion.” He rummaged around in his pack, finding one somewhere near the bottom. She had been cut badly by the ice shards, and while it wasn’t life-threatening, it surely hurt a lot. 

“I need a frost-resistant potion.” Aelyn took a measure of the healing potion, and the wounds closed, but the black circle remained. “Something to negate the ice magic.”

“Then we’ll get to Morthal right away, it’s maybe half a day’s travel from here?” Val didn’t like the look of the injury. 

“There’s an apothecary there; they should have what I need. Then we can just take the ferry over to Solitude.” Aelyn stood up with a wince. Her breath was short; it hurt to draw in the air. 

“Do you think that was Aumriel?” Val approached the stone dais, where the body of Ra’jiir lay. He picked up the sword.

“Aumriel?” Aelyn asked, confused. 

“There’s a legend in Morthal about the Pale Lady. They say the Pale Lady wanders the marshes nearby. Most think it’s a ghost story, but here we are. And there she is.” Val motioned to the heap of bone and rags. “There are ancient records that support the legend, ‘Aumriel’, was sealed away by Ysgramor’s heirs. I wonder if that was her.” He held out the sword for Aelyn; she took the blade and examined it. Auryen would go nuts over it; such fine quality, obviously ancient, and a mysterious legend. 

“I suppose it’s possible. I’m not sure I subscribe to such things.” Aelyn looked up at the hole in the ceiling of the cave. The stars were out. 

“Oh? What do you think it was then?” Val crossed his arms over his chest. 

“Likely an elemental manifestation. Sort of like an atronoch. They do occur naturally when near their element. Flame atronochs near volcanoes, Ice ones near glaciers.”

“That didn’t look like any ice atronoch I’ve seen before.” He argued, and Aelyn nodded in agreement. 

“Well, maybe it was her.” Aelyn shrugged, still in awe of the beauty around them. 

“It’s wondrous here,” Val murmured, his eyes drifting toward Aelyn, “I’m glad we saw it together. Will you keep the blade?” He asked. The altar was made to hold the blade; perhaps that was how the Wispmother had been sealed?

“I think it’s fine now that she’s been put to rest.” Aelyn stowed the blade. Val nodded. “I’m surprised you’re not interested in the treasure. Isn’t this what we came for?”

“Treasure isn’t what I was after on this trip.” His smirk didn’t reach his eyes. “Hey look-” He pointed to a staircase that ran along the wall of the cave, and on the landing before it turned back into the crypt was something made Aelyn’s blood run cold. “A word wall. The Pale Lady must have been someone of status.” 

Aelyn struggled to climb the steps, her chest burning, her breathing ragged. The Rotumulaag looming over them made her shiver. She tried to focus on pushing the memories the thing stirred up in her back where they belonged. Forgotten. Val kept glancing over his shoulder at her.

“You’re sure a Frost Resist potion will help?” He asked as they opened the iron door at the top of the steps, a small bridge crossing a large well toward the upper part of the ruin. 

“I’ll be okay, Val. Who knew you were such a worry wort.” Aelyn laughed and immediately regretted it; sharp pain shot through her lungs. Val frowned as she moved past him. 

“Hey, wait- Just…” He seemed anxious. 

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” Aelyn wondered if he’d been injured and berated herself internally for not noticing. 

“I just need a moment to collect my thoughts.” He ran a hand through his hair with a deep sigh. 

“What’s the matter?”

“Just thinking about Kyr. Dying alone in the dark without a soul to come looking for him.”

“What do you mean? Does… that bother you?”

“Him? No.” He laughed a little, but it died quickly. “It’s just, that could’ve easily been me.” His words sank into her, and she couldn’t help but recall how they had first met. He’d been alone on that deserted island, ready for his last day. “I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been wounded in some skirmish and treated myself in secret because I couldn’t afford to look weak.” Aelyn stepped closer to him; this went beyond just that day she’d found him. He’d been in Kyr’s position before. 

“Well… You didn’t have anyone you could trust then. I know how that feels,” a shadow passed over her expression. She looked up at him, and he didn’t meet her eyes. “We have each other now.” He looked at her finally, his eyes soft, a strange look in them she couldn’t place. It reminded her of the look he’d given her when he’d given her his ring in Irkngthand. 

“That we do.” He stepped away from her. “And I don’t want anything to change that.” Aelyn tilted her head, feeling confused. 

“What do you mean?”

“I…” He couldn’t find the words to tell her. He was bad for her. He’d leave, he’d hurt her or something worse. She’d almost died so many times because of him already. “I don’t want things to change.” She looked like he’d slapped her. Her mouth opened and closed.

“Did I do something wrong?” It was a simple question, reasonable, but it cut him to the quick. No, no, she hadn’t. 

“Trust me, it’s better this way.” He moved past her, signaling the conversation was over. Aelyn tried to take a deep, steadying breath and winced. Her chest hurt, and she wasn’t entirely sure it was only because of frostbite burrowing into her lungs. 

Chapter Text

Aelyn was feeling better after she had taken the Frost Resist potion. She could breathe easier, but the tight knot in her chest remained. Morthal had been a desolate little town shrouded in the mists of the swamp. Somehow, despite the lack of snow, the cold bit harder there. It had a way of getting right into your bones. They’d happened upon some argument between the Jarl’s Steward and the locals. It had sounded like some sort of small-minded superstitious nonsense that suited a backwater village. They’d both been content to leave well enough alone; they were just passing through. 

Aelyn glanced over at Val; they hadn’t talked much since they had left the ruin. The ferry from Morthal to Solitude didn’t leave much room for them to avoid one another. It was a tiny boat, just big enough for Aelyn, Val, and the Ferryman, whom she suspected was actually a fisherman who took travelers across the bay for a little extra coin. 

Val stood up to help pull the little boat up the Solitude docks and tie it off. He jumped from the small craft onto the wooden planks of the pier with cat-like grace. They walked in silence through the busy dockside streets up to Solitude proper. Every once in a while Val would pause, open his mouth, as if to say something, then close it again and continue on. Thankfully, Auryen was in the office when they reached the Museum and in a chatty enough mood to fill up the silence that lingered.

“We recovered this from Frostmere crypt.” Aelyn laid the blade carefully on Auryen’s desk. 

“Oh my, what a find! Did you encounter the Pale Lady then?” His eyes sparkled as he began to carefully inspect the sword. 

“You’re familiar with the legend?” Val perked up. 

“Sir, I run a museum.” Auryen stood up with a smirk, “In Morthal, there is a legend that a ghostly woman wanders the marsh, seeking her lost daughter and stealing wayward children. Her sobbing wail strikes dead all who hear it. However, some believe that she is Aumriel, a great foe of Ysgramor’s heirs, sealed away for all these centuries by this blade.”

“That’s right.” Val smiled for the first time in almost a day. It had been so strange to see the semi-permanent grin so absent from him. 

“So tell me, did you meet the Pale Lady?” Auryen looked between them eagerly. 

“We did.” Aelyn crossed her arms over her chest; the bruising from where she’d been struck hadn’t faded entirely. “A Wispmother, able to summon shades of herself.”

“How incredible; I suppose this lends credit to some of the theories surrounding Wispmothers then.” Auryen began to rifle through his desk for parchment and ink. 

“Oh? And which theories do you subscribe to? There are a few out there.” Val watched him intently. 

“Well, there is the hypothesis that they are the ancient remnants of a cult of Snow Elf sorceresses. They supposedly achieved never-ending life through a sort of lich-dom.” Auryen began making notes on the blade. 

“So ancient sorceresses, not elemental manifestations?” Val glanced at Aelyn, knowing she was about to argue the point. 

“I still would think they’re more akin to a Spriggan, or a Flame Atronoch. Their appearances seem restricted to desolate, snowy, or cold, marshy areas. Atronochs and Spriggans are naturally occurring phenomena in areas closely in tune to their elements.” Aelyn offered, but Val shook his head with a smile. 

“Such a skeptic.” He peered at the notes Auryen was making. “I’m sure you’ve seen the way the shape of the hilt reflects Aldmer influence; the flowing design makes it distinct from the Dwemer. If it is indeed an artifact of the Snow Elves, it’s from before they were forced underground.”

“Oh my, you’re right.” Auryen stood up. “I must write to my contact in Cyrodiil about this- Oh!” He seemed to remember something suddenly as he rummaged through the drawers of his desk once more. “Speaking of correspondence, Aelyn, the courier dropped off a stack of letters for you.” He produced a bundle of envelopes and papers tied with a red string and handed it to her. 

She took the stack, noting that it was mostly fliers and advertisements. She pulled on the red ribbon, gently unwinding it before sorting through the bundle. Something about the bright color made her smile, so she tucked it into her pocket. Val and Auryen continued debating about the theories surrounding Wispmothers. Val happily supplied his account of what they had encountered in Frostmere crypt. 

Aelyn moved over toward her desk and took a seat, propping her legs up on the desk. She sighed, tossing an advertisement onto her desk for a museum in Dawnstar that was looking for savvy adventurers to retrieve artifacts. Competition. Though, she’d keep it in mind if they truly became destitute. A letter from the Jarl of Falkreath, she set it to the side in her ‘to be read’ pile, and then an unadorned envelope, sealed with wax that bore no crest. She broke the seal and unfolded the letter. She was immediately greeted with neat, flowing penmanship. 

‘My Dearest Valerius,’

“Valerius?” Aelyn said it out loud in shock, hiding a small chuckle. Val’s head immediately jerked up. 

‘I received your letter and, as always, am relieved to know you are alive and safe. My deepest condolences’-

The letter was gently pulled from her hands before she could finish reading.

“Were you just going to keep reading?” Val began to read the letter over as he perched on the edge of her desk beside her boots. 

“It was mixed in with mine.” Aelyn sat up in her seat.

“It has my name on it, thank you.” His face held some emotion she couldn’t identify as he read the contents of the letter. Aelyn raised her brows in surprise. 

“Your name is Valerius?” She smirked mischievously. 

“Yes, and I hate it. Please, for the love of the Nine, do not call me by that name.” He already knew it was a done deal. There was no way she was going to let it go. 

“Okay, Valerius.” She chuckled. 

“Ugh, why are you like this?” Val grumbled, folding the letter up. 

“And yet you decided to stay.” Aelyn smiled, and then her face fell a little. She cleared her throat as she fidgeted under his gaze. “So, who would be writing to Dearest Valerius?” She tried to keep the question lighthearted, but there was no denying the sharp pinch she felt from it. Val had shared a good deal about himself with her, and she figured if there was someone in his life that he was close enough to write to on the regular, he’d have disclosed that. The corner of his lips lifted into a small smirk; he knew exactly why she was asking. Aelyn rolled her eyes with a huff. 

“My mother.” He smiled. She stared at him blankly for a few moments; the sharp pinch she’d felt suddenly turned ravenous. She was prepared to be jealous of an undisclosed lover who knew his first name. That was nothing compared to the hollow feeling that knowing Val had a mother who wrote to him left her with. That was a hit of jealousy that left her nearly breathless. His brows bent in confusion when she didn’t react. He’d been expecting her to flush with embarrassment, but she looked a little lost instead. 

“I had no idea you wrote to your mother.” She fixed her eyes on her lap, absently picking at her nails, attempting to appear unbothered. His gaze was too focused; she felt too seen. 

“Well, yeah. Sure, I left home and didn’t look back, but we aren’t estranged.” He shrugged his shoulders, still trying to puzzle out her reaction. “Her name’s Elin. She translates for the various academics in the Imperial City.” Aelyn forced a smile. 

“I’m still trying to imagine young Valerius, who ran away with the pirates, sending letters home to his mother.” She risked a peek at him. No dice; that look of his told her he saw right through her. 

“Ah, stow it already. I’m never gonna hear the end of this, am I?” Val rubbed his face. “She mentioned Fathis. I ah.. It bothers me I wasn’t able to give him a proper cremation. I know the guards wouldn’t have put him in the Hall of the Dead, but Solitude has a pauper’s graveyard just outside. I’d feel a lot better if I could pay my respects.” He paused as if unsure before asking, “What do you say? I’d… Appreciate having you with me.” 

“Absolutely.” She didn’t even pause, feeling confused about the fact that he even had to ask. 

“Really?” Val blinked in surprise at her willingness. She couldn’t put it into words. Wherever things lay between them, Aelyn knew without a doubt that he’d have to fight her to let him face something like that alone. He was more to her than whatever strange waters they'd ventured into. Friends, maybe something more, not quite lovers, sometimes not quite friends. It didn't matter in the end. They could be any and all or none of those things, and she'd still stand by his side. Her loyalty, once won, was unwavering. 

“Yes, really. Do you think I’d let you go alone?” She grinned honestly this time, and he smiled back at her. It faded quickly.

The vision of a lovely Breton woman wouldn’t leave her alone. Maybe it was the letter from Val’s mother or the impending trip to the graveyard, but her own mother’s clear blue eyes kept resurfacing in her mind. Her hair had been a golden, honey-blonde. She could see her laughing. Yet, no matter how hard she tried to hold the vision of her smile, the look in her eyes degraded to madness, and her cheerful smile turned manic. Aelyn shuddered.

Chapter Text

She attempted to tie the little red ribbon stowed in her pocket in her hair. It kept slipping through her fingers as she wound it around, unable to tie it properly. She paused when she caught Val watching her with an amused look as they made their way through the streets of Solitude.

“What?” The question came out a little defensively. 

“What are you doing?” He couldn’t help but find her frustrated expression amusing. 

“Ugh, forget it, I just thought it looked pretty-” She pulled the ribbon from her hair, tangling it in the strands. Instead of trying to undo the knots, she tugged harder.

“Stop, stop.” Val grabbed her hand to prevent her from tearing her hair out. 

“It’s fine. I’ll just cut it out,” Aelyn argued while he swatted her hands away as he stood behind her.

“Don’t you dare,” Val muttered, carefully untangling the ribbon.

She could feel the flush creeping up the back of her neck. Her awareness of him, whenever he stood close, had only heightened since they returned from Frostmere crypt. The heat radiating from him soaked into her back, and she tried to school her expression. Damn him for making her like that. He’d lured her right in during that little date of theirs; she had been ready to give him a chance, and then, with no explanation, he’d cut her off. Aelyn chewed her lip. She wanted to understand, and yet he’d remained silent on the matter. And now, she was trying not to jump every time his fingertips brushed her ear or the back of her neck as he tied the ribbon in her hair. She attempted to take a steadying breath. 

“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice low in her ear. Aelyn frowned as she realized he was doing it on purpose, and that just wasn’t fair—in the middle of a crowded street in broad daylight. Two could play at that game. She stepped back against him, tilting her head back to look up at him. 

“Tie it tightly, please. I’d hate for it to come loose.” She watched as his eyes widened in surprise briefly before his gaze darkened. “You did offer to demonstrate.” 

“Let’s get something straight-” He wound her hair around his hand. “You don’t want to get involved with me. I’m pretty good at messing things up or … Just leaving them behind.”

“How dare you.” She frowned, and he raised his brow, “That should be my choice to make, don’t you think? Besides, do you really think you’re going to leave me behind? I’d like to see you try it.” It sounded more like a threat than she’d intended, but he laughed and gave her hair a little tug.

“Who knew you were so feisty when denied something?” He let go of her hair and traced his way up the column of her neck with his fingertips. “It makes me want to tease you a little.” He seemed to mull something over as she returned his gaze, “In any case, I don’t think this is a conversation for the middle of the street.” Val stepped away from her, and she immediately felt the chill of the northern wind. He was right, of course; a crowded street wasn’t the place to resolve their issue. 

They turned off the main thoroughfare toward the Hall of the Dead. A few denizens of Solitude entered the shrine of Arkay, left flowers beside tombstones, and came and went from the Hall of the Dead. The pauper’s graveyard wasn’t large by any means; most of the city’s dead were provided funeral rights and given a place within the catacombs. Only the truly destitute or unknown were buried outside. Val paused as they entered and looked around. 

“That’s odd… There doesn’t appear to be anything dug here recently.” He wandered from tombstone to tombstone, looking for clues as to which one could possibly belong to Fathis. “There’s no fresh graves at all.”

“It was a few weeks ago, now.” Aelyn offered, but she agreed; something felt off. 

“These are all more than a year old.” Val inspected the dates carved into the rock. 

“We could ask Styr? The priest of Arkay inside?” She motioned toward the building beside the graveyard. Val shook his head. 

“This can’t be right.” He turned to her, “Can you show me exactly where he died?”

“Uh, sure.” She agreed but didn’t really understand what he was getting at. “But Val, it’s been more than a month. I doubt there’s-”

“Humor me?” He asked, his face lined with worry. Aelyn sighed and nodded. 

They made their way out of the city, following the winding road past the docks and under the Great Arch that the city had been built on. The roads past the gate to the docks were mostly empty. The houses became fewer, and then there was nothing but a line of trees that separated the road from the coastline. They had walked this path a few times before. Once when Aelyn had initially rescued Val, again when retrieving the Star of Solitude, and when they had snuck into Brinewater Grotto. Each time, passing the place where Fathis had breathed his last. 

She remembered the spot distinctly. Fathis had dragged himself off the main road, lying down to die behind a large pine log. It almost seemed like he hadn’t wanted anyone to find him or help him. A shiver crept up her spine. She’d tried to give him a healing potion, but he had refused it. It had been too late anyway, the damage too severe for the small bottle she’d happened to have on hand at the time. It would have done next to nothing for the deep wound in his side. The one that Aelyn could only assume that Val had given him. 

She stopped by the old log. Val stood beside her; he began to look around, toeing the dirt with his boot when the air shifted. A strange energy buzzed, and Aelyn’s hand instinctively went to her dagger. 

“Did you feel that?” Aelyn asked, feeling on edge all of a sudden. 

“Hmm?” Val looked up, his eyes going wide, “Look out!” 

Aelyn jumped out of the way just in time to avoid a vicious-looking blade intent on cleaving her in two. She rolled down the small embankment beside the road, looking up just in time to see Val engage the creature that had attacked them. His cutlass was no match for the heavy sword it wielded. Horns protruded from its forehead, curling forward, clad in dark armor, as it towered over Val. 

“We knew you’d be back! Surrender your soul to Molag Bal,” Its voice was distinctly that of a Dremora. It seemed unnaturally focused on Val; the attack on Aelyn had been merely to get her out of the way as it charged at him. 

His cutlass was holding up against the attacks, but Aelyn didn’t intend to test the strength of his blade. She sprinted up the embankment, a set of ice-blue eyes beneath a cruel-looking helm turned toward her as she slid her blade into a joint in the armor behind its knee, feeling her dagger cut through the flesh beneath. The Dremora fell to its knee, unable to stand. Val seized the opportunity and drove his cutlass down into a gap in the armor between the neck and the body. The creature choked, laughed, and then slumped over. 

Aelyn stood up, brushing the dirt off her as Val wiped his blade clean. He pulled the helmet off the Dremora with a frown. 

“What was that all about?” Aelyn huffed. 

“We must have triggered some sort of detection spell when we disturbed the area.” Val began searching the body. 

“But who is summoning Dremora?” Aelyn glanced down at its body; it was pristinely shined, except for the boots, which were covered in mud. She pursed her lips; it hadn’t rained in the area in days.

“Not just any Dremora. This is a Xivkyn. A servant of Molag Bal. This thing was waiting for us; you heard what it said.” Val held up a blackened shard of crystal he had fished out of the armor.

“What’s that?” Aelyn nodded to the strange-looking gem in his hand. 

“A soul-gem fragment.” He looked sincerely perturbed. “I get this uncomfortable feeling that something is in there.” He held it up to the light as dark clouds began to gather in the sky. “I don’t think it’s empty. I wonder where this guy came from. Daedra don’t summon themselves. Someone nearby must have done it when we tripped the detection spell.”

“Somewhere muddy judging by its boots.” Aelyn kicked the boots half-heartedly.

“Hmmm.” Val stood up. “There’s an old smuggler’s cave not too far from here that’s pretty damp. It might be worth investigating.”

“You know how to get there?” Aelyn asked, eager to be away from the body. Its vacant, icy blue stare was giving her the creeps. 

“Yeah, let’s go.” Val started walking back toward the docks. 

They had to backtrack through the docks district, but instead of heading up to Solitude proper, Val took an unexpected turn down a dirt path that led right to the water’s edge. Just the other side of the natural rock formations that made up the boundaries of the harbor, beside a large maple tree with leaves a deep crimson against the grey sky, Val pointed out a small opening. A handy place indeed, so close to the harbor and easily accessible from the water. The place must have flooded regularly, judging by the wet earth and the way the path that led into the cave took a sharp downward turn. 

It was well-lit from cracks and holes in the rock, and while humid, it harbored a wild array of flora. The path followed around the edge of the cavern, over a natural arch, upwards toward a ledge on the opposite side. A tranquil pool of water, deep blue, indicating a considerable depth, lay beneath the archway. A pillar of rock in the pool’s centerstretched upward, supporting the natural arch and providing a home to another smaller, red-leafed maple tree. Beneath its branches stood a black hound, its lips curled back in a vicious snarl. It was easily as large as a person, and the unnatural gleam in its eyes gave it away as a death hound. 

“Val.” Aelyn breathed, placing her hand on his shoulder to get his attention as the deep guttural snarl filled the small cavern. “I’m pretty sure that’s a death hound.”

The words were barely out of her mouth before the hound raced toward them, snapping its jaws. It lunged at Val; once again, the creature seemed intent on ripping him to shreds. It raked its claws down his front, and Aelyn felt her stomach drop. She kicked the thing away from him as hard as possible, sending it into the cave wall. It was on its feet as if nothing had happened, lunging for him once more when Aelyn threw herself in its path. The hound’s teeth sank into her arm, and she screamed in pain, watching as it lit up at the sound. It lasted only a moment as she shoved her dagger into the side of its skull, and it seized before the otherworldly glow in its eyes went out. 

“Val, are you okay?” Aelyn pulled her arm free from its jaws. His coat was shredded, but luckily, the wounds on his chest seemed superficial. 

“Me? Can you move your arm?” He touched her arm gingerly to inspect it, and she hissed at his prodding. “One of us really needs to learn a healing spell.”

“It’ll have to be you.” Aelyn sighed, trying to apply pressure to the puncture wounds the Deathhound’s teeth left in her arm. “I can’t do magic.” Val laughed. 

“What do you mean I’ve seen you-” He paused for a moment when she didn’t smile. “What do you mean?” He asked more seriously. 

“I can only use fire. It’s not like normal magic.” She bit her lip; it wasn’t easy for her to talk about, but if she wanted him to be close, she needed to open up a bit. “Remember when we talked in Whiterun? On that job for Maven? When I told you my magic was generated internally?”

“Yeah?” Val said slowly, winding a piece of torn cloth from his shirt around her arm. 

“Well, I can’t use regular magic. I can feel it, manipulate it, but the part that makes things happen doesn’t seem to work.” She explained.

“I wonder if maybe you need to try it differently.” He mused, standing up and looking down at his ruined jacket with a grimace. 

“Try it differently?” She repeated, curious what that could mean. 

“Well, it makes sense, doesn’t it? You don’t cast a fireball; you pull fire from within, right? So why would you think that you’d cast anything else the same as others?” He said it so simply like the answer had been obvious. Aelyn frowned, getting to her feet. Had her time at the Synod been totally worthless then? Why had no one else come to that conclusion? She recalled her mentor, his lies and manipulations were what had eventually sent her packing. Had they and kept it from her? 

“Look at this…” Val called her attention to the present once more. “Another soul gem fragment.”

“Something is going on here…” Aelyn watched as Val gazed into the gem. 

“When I look at it, I get the worst feeling in the pit of my stomach, and I think about Fathis. You don’t think…” Val sighed and tucked the gem into his pocket. “This place seems like a dead end, and whatever cultist was here is long gone.”

“I wonder if Fathis was involved with Molag Bal in some way.” Aelyn mused. 

“Servants of Molag Bal, broken soul gems that don’t seem entirely empty; what did you get yourself into, Fathis?” Val looked truly worried; his shoulders slumped, and his brow creased. “He used to go to Serpent Stone Isle when he wanted to spend some time alone. It’s out of the way but has a great view of the Shrine of Azura. He liked the place. My gut tells me we might find something there.”

“All the way out there? Val, that’s ridiculous. It makes more sense to look around the Dark Rose.” Aelyn argued. 

“The Dark Rose?” Val repeated as if she’d said something absurd. 

“Yeah, you know, where he spent ninety percent of his time, I’m guessing.” She tried to cross her arms over her chest and winced when it jarred the wound on her forearm. Val frowned. 

“These soul gem fragments aren’t empty at all, and we’re wasting time.” He ran a hand through his hair. 

“Well, hiking all the way out to Winterhold certainly seems like a waste of time when we could just search the ship. ” 

“Argh.” Val turned from her and she watched as he dropped his hand to his side. He was loathe to bring it up, but what choice did he have? Fathis needed his help, he was sure of it, but they had no leads on how to find him.“How do you feel about dealing with Daedric princes?”

“I’m sorry-” Aelyn laughed, “I thought you just said-”

“We’re dead in the water right now. We need information.” He turned toward her once more. He was absolutely serious, and Aelyn did not like where this was going. “You saw Fathis die, only I don’t think he’s dead.”

“You want to save Fathis from one Daedra by snuggling up to another?! Val!” Aelyn couldn’t believe it, of all the ill-conceived ideas-

“If there’s a chance to save him from whatever is chipping away at his soul, I have to find out now! I let him down for years; I won’t do it again.” He couldn’t let Fathis down again; he saw his chance to change Fathis’s fate, a fate he had a hand in creating, and he had to do something. Val began to pace, working out the plan in his head before he’d even had a chance to really consider any other options. He knew what would work, and so he had to do it. “I’ve… dealt with Hermaeus Mora before. While unpalatable, there’s no better or faster source of information.” Aelyn blanched. 

“W-who?” She stuttered, instinctively taking a step back. 

“I know where a Black book is that can help us.” He still hadn’t looked up, pinching his chin in thought as Aelyn nearly stumbled. “I’ll read it and bargain with ol’Eyeballs to find out how Fathis got himself entangled with Molag Bal.”

“How did you find a Black book? V-Val?” She was shaking. Her blood felt like ice, and as terrified as she was about facing the Demon of Knowledge, she knew in her heart she wouldn’t leave him to face it alone. He was too distracted to really notice the terror in her voice, in her eyes. He was so wholly focused on how to save Fathis that he couldn’t see anything else. 

“I originally found it in a cave on a godsforsaken island offshore from Solsthiem. A story for another time. I left the book in my cabin with everything else on the Dark Rose. With luck, no one has sold it or thrown it overboard yet.” He paused and looked up. “We need to get to a healer before we head out. Gods, you’re white as a sheet.”

“So we’re going to the Dark Rose anyway? I… Val, are you sure about this?” She’d follow him, even into Oblivion, it seemed. 

“Do you have a better idea?” He snapped, and she simply closed her mouth. 

“Can we at least check his things first? Before we start trying to make deals with Daedra?” Her stomach churned. She’d never seen him like this; it made her uneasy – they were headed directly into her worst nightmare. She tried to reassure herself that the planes of Oblivion were many, and each book contained it’s own pocket of Apocrypha. But Mora was in each of those pockets; he lived in the secret knowledge hidden in the recesses of the world, and her presence would surely not go unnoticed. 

Chapter Text

Val’s new jacket wasn’t quite as dashing as his normal one, but it would have to do until he could find something more suitable. Of course, a custom order took time, and time wasn’t something they had. Radiant Rainment had taken his measurements and Aelyn’s as well, much to her distress. Val ultimately had to settle for something off the rack in the meantime. He’d charmed Taerie, of all people, to put it on his tab. He’d convinced them he would pay when they returned for the final product. Aelyn had once again been baffled by this strange hypnosis he seemed to induce on others. It had to be a type of magic, she was convinced. However, what truly worried her was how absolutely broke they were. How he intended to pay for anything was beyond her. 

They’d ‘borrowed’ a small vessel from the docks. Aelyn couldn’t help but wonder how Val seemed to do all things with the same easy confidence. It was all a brief reprieve. As soon as the Dark Rose was in sight, anxiety gripped her once more. She had no idea what they were going to encounter in Val’s black book. 

Aelyn realized that the crew must have recognized him from a distance because by the time the little dinghy was pulling up alongside the Dark Rose, a rope ladder had already been lowered for them. Aelyn couldn’t get over how large the ship was up close. She’d seen the red sails from a distance when they confronted Tarek, but it was difficult to understand her size and presence from afar. Aelyn only vaguely remembered the ship that had taken her from Solstheim to Windhelm, and it was nothing like this. The journey to the Rose had been tense as Val had been unusually quiet, almost brooding on the trip over. 

This wasn’t somewhere he had ever wanted to take Aelyn. He had wanted to leave this part of his life behind and forget the man he’d had to be... No. He’d chosen much of it; he’d always had a choice. He’d even liked it at times. It was a large part of who he was, and it felt inescapable. He struggled to untangle the bad pieces from the good, his love of the sea with the ruthless pirate. Maybe he didn’t even want to untangle it, but he had also come to the unfortunate realization that he didn’t want Aelyn to leave. 

He’d lived his life keeping everyone at a distance, prepared for the moment when he had to leave or when they’d had enough of him. But she hadn’t wavered; she’d stayed after the assassins, after facing Tarek, after all the moments between that deserted island and where they were now. Angry, afraid, disappointed, happy, or joyful, she had stood by him, and he wanted her to stay. Yet, for some reason, he couldn’t convince himself that she’d still remain after seeing the real him. She’d wormed her way in close enough that he felt afraid of what lay on the other side if she decided to leave. 

Aelyn attempted to keep up as he scaled the rope ladder, but the ship rocked with the waves as it swayed back and forth, and the ropes gave and swung under her feet. Val had been waiting for her to climb over the rail for a long moment before she caught up, and he pulled her over. 

The moment her foot touched the deck, all movement onboard stopped. The crew, mostly comprised of Dunmer, froze and stared at her. The ship rocked, and she bumped into the rail behind her before Val gently pushed her forward. 

“What?” He snarled at them, and then as if a spell had been broken, they snapped back into action. 

No one dared question him, but lingering glances, some curious, some less than friendly, some outright staring, all weighed on Aelyn. It was absolutely clear. She was an outsider. Val headed for the quarter-deck, but before they could make it halfway across the ship, a nervous-looking Dunmer came running up. 

“Ah, Captain, you should know there’s been a development-” He was cut off by a haughty-sounding female voice and the click of heeled boots on wood. 

“Well, if it isn’t Serano. What are you doing on my ship?” A dark-haired Imperial woman sauntered over to the top of the stairs that led up to the quarterdeck. She was beautiful in a sickly, backstabbing sort of way. She was tall and leggy, her shirt was too tight, and her make-up too thick. Her deep blue eyes flashed over Aelyn for a moment, and her lip lifted slightly as Aelyn struggled to keep her balance. Val outright laughed at the woman. 

“Hey, it’s been a while, Jena. You still looking for that white knight and coming in second best?” There was no mistaking his mocking tone, and he clearly did not regard this woman as someone to be taken seriously. 

“You arrogant- argh! Get off my ship, you son of a bitch.”

“I’d love to chat, but I’ve got business to attend to. You borrowed my ship, and like most things, that arrangement wasn’t meant to last. You can pipe down and sit in the hold, or you can disembark. Now. Lady's choice." Val crossed his arms over his chest, waiting for her response. Jena opened and closed her mouth a few times before actually stomping her foot in frustration. 

“It’ll be a cold day in Oblivion before I go along with one of your schemes again, Serano.” Jena began to screech. 

“Disembark it is.” Val didn’t even let her finish. Jena had no time to even draw her sword before members of the crew were hoisting her up and making for the railing. 

“Get your filthy hands off me!” She clawed at the crew members.

“Val!” Aelyn cried; if they threw her overboard now, there was no way she’d make it to land. She would drown long before anyone found her or she swam to safety. 

He glanced at Aelyn and then went stiff. Val bit the inside of his cheek, his brow furrowing. He made a frustrated noise in his throat before turning away from the quarter-deck.

“Put her in the brig.” He said sharply. The crew paused. They held a struggling Jena aloft and looked confused from Val to the little Breton beside him. They didn’t question, but grumblings were heard as a pair of deckhands began to force Jena down the stairs and below deck. Val made for the Captain’s quarters, and Aelyn, unsure what to do next, trailed behind him. The stares from the crew were almost unbearable as she followed him inside the cabin. He turned on her the moment the door closed behind them. 

“Don’t do that again.” He warned, looming over her. 

“You were going to kill her!” Aelyn argued, sticking out her chin.

“And we might have been better off for it. I can’t look weak in front of the crew or…” He ran his hand through his hair before stepping back. 

“Or what? They’ll take the ship?” Aelyn asked, following him across the space. 

“Yes. Exactly that.” He leveled a glare at her. She was being sarcastic, but she had no idea how close to the truth she was. She began to inspect the cabin with a curious gleam in her eyes. 

“Are we going to find Fathis’s things?” She asked, changing the subject. He couldn’t find it in him to finish the argument, wholly distracted by her presence as she inspected his baubles, reading the titles of the books he’d left out. 

“No need. We’ll get everything we need from the black book.” Val watched her intently. 

“Who was that woman anyway?” Aelyn asked, peering at a strange shell he’d displayed on a shelf. 

“An old business associate obsessed with getting the better of me. I’m sure she scented blood in the water with Tarek gone and my being on shore. She likely thought the Rose was easy pickings.” He liked seeing her move about the space. He tried not to think about it too much, but it was doing something to his ego that she was there, on his ship, in his quarters. “My cabin looks just as I left it. Maybe the old man really did…” He cut himself off; he knew better. Val sighed deeply. “No. No, I know better. I’ll just grab some clothes and a few of my things while we’re here. I thought some of this stuff would be gone for good.”

“Val.” Aelyn frowned, staring at a wanted poster tacked to the wall while he rifled through his things. His wanted poster. 

“Ah, they really got my cheekbones right on that one.” He grinned proudly, glancing up to see her staring at it. 

“Twenty thousand gold? What on Nirn did you do?” She asked incredulously. 

“A story for another time,” He pulled some extra bolts for his crossbow out and replenished his quiver. Aelyn still poked about the cabin and picked up a jeweled necklace from a small table, and then her eyes went wide at a sapphire the size of her fist. 

“Wait – Are you… Godsdamn it, Val.” Aelyn turned toward him, furious. “Are you rich?!” He immediately burst out laughing. “You thirty-five percent thieving bastard!” She smacked him in the shoulder. 

“It was on the ship; I didn’t have it. I honestly thought it would be gone. Except for the stashes I have around the coast. A few investment businesses and properties...” He couldn’t stop chuckling; her face was red with anger. It was a little adorable, if he was honest. “Alright, that’s enough nostalgia.” He opened a locked chest and pulled out the black book. Aelyn felt her stomach drop. 

“Let’s get this over with, but we're talking about how you swindled me when we get back.” Aelyn stood beside him and gripped his hand as they opened the book. 

A deep rumbling filled the cabin, and the ship groaned and creaked. The ink on the pages before them was unreadable but then began to shift and move, swirling in strange patterns until great black tentacles sprouted forth from the pages. Aelyn tried not to scream as they wrapped around her, dragging them both into the depths of a yawning darkness opening up before them. She felt Val’s fingers slip from her grasp, she tried to call out to him but she couldn’t see, couldn’t speak, couldn’t breathe, all was darkness, and she was lost. 

Chapter Text

The darkness had swallowed her whole. Aelyn gasped for air, but there was none in the vacuum. Her lungs strained, and it was so incredibly dark she couldn’t even tell if her eyes were open or closed. She struggled, tried to flail, to grasp onto something, but it was like she was moving in slow motion, her arms weak and limp as they moved through something viscous. 

“Come…closer.” A deep, watery voice seemed to slither between her ears, and she suddenly felt her stomach turn. 

Just as she felt the pins and needles in her head and along her limbs, signaling she was about to pass out, she felt something solid beneath her again. Aelyn blinked, her vision returning, air suddenly flooded her lungs. She jumped up immediately, her heart pounding. She knew that voice. 

“Aelyn?” Val was dusting himself off. 

“Val!” She sounded far more relieved than she’d intended. 

For the first time, she took in their surroundings. It was like nothing she’d seen before… Like half-formed memories turned to reality in the landscape of Apocrypha. Islands of reality melded with the towering stacks of forgotten tomes floating in an ocean of black ink. A cold chill sank into her bones as she turned to Val once more. 

“…What is this place?” Aelyn took in the dilapidated buildings around them, the cobblestone street littered with pages torn from books that led to nowhere, and the strange towers in the distance, all under a churning green sky. This wasn’t a place she understood or was familiar with. 

“This? This is the street where I was a child. Well, my memory of it anyway. We’re in Apocrypha.” Val’s gaze fell as a shadow passed over his expression.

“You didn’t just deal with Mora, did you?” Aelyn asked slowly. Val’s shoulders sagged. 

“No.” He stood up straight, ready to face her judgment. “I used to serve Hermaeus Mora. This place is made from the memories I sometimes bargained for knowledge. Most of it really happened, some of it’s lies I told myself. None of it’s friendly.” He took a deep breath, “Ole Eyeballs does not appreciate lying. Even when you don’t realize you’re doing it. I learned to tell all that apart with Mora’s ‘gift’.”

“His… gift?” She didn’t like the sound of that. 

“He bestowed a perfect self-awareness on me; to help me sort out the lies I told myself.” He wouldn’t meet her eyes. Aelyn paused. Perfect self-awareness – she thought about it for a moment and then tamped down the anger that flared as she came to the realization of just how many times he’d lied to her. About his father, about Fathis, about the Black Book… No, not anger, hurt. She took a steadying breath. She wasn’t much better. Even as they stood in a pocket of Oblivion crafted of his worst memories – she still had her own secrets that she kept from him. 

“How… How are we supposed to find Fathis in here?” Aelyn didn’t understand how this all worked. 

“Well, that’s up to Mora. We can try and get his attention.” Val began to walk toward a collapsed old farmhouse. As they stepped inside the crumbling one-room home, he motioned toward a pile of burned books in the fireplace. “When I decided I was done being Hermaeus Mora’s lackey, I burned these books and more just to piss him off. Great way to get his attention if you need to. Though, not what I would recommend for this instance.” 

As they left the little farmhouse, Aelyn couldn’t stop the chill creeping up her spine. Hermaeus Mora’s presence was everywhere, and they were being watched. She shivered as he led them through another building, another small farmhouse, with books and childhood toys in the fireplace. The image made her heart ache a little; what part of his memory had this been? She gasped as a large, bulging eye poked up through a hole in the floor. Val paid it no mind, but the thing stared at Aelyn as they passed it. Mora was watcheing her. She nearly bumped into Val as she stumbled back from it, stepping through a hole in the back wall of the house out onto a long pier. Aelyn assumed they were entering another one of Val’s ‘memories’. Shadows paced slowly up and down the dock like long-forgotten ghosts; he grimaced and turned to his right, attempting to find a way around the shifting figures. 

He paused atop a large platform, and Aelyn sucked in a breath. She couldn’t look away; there were two individuals- a ship captain and an imperial soldier– seemingly acting out a scene, but she couldn’t stop staring at the body in the cage that hung over them. It was Val. This place was almost madness-inducing. She jumped when he began to speak. 

“This is the day the Dark Rose earned a place in Stros M’Kai.” He nodded to the two figures conversing while a devious smirk snaked across his face. 

“Thought you could set your upstart little boots on my island, and now look at you! Decorating my harbor as crab bait!” The ship captain laughed. He looked like a pirate, but she couldn’t be sure. He turned to the Imperial soldier with a sneer, “Here’s your share of the gold. Fitting compensation for your ‘service’ to the Empire.” Definitely a pirate, she decided. 

“Of course.” The soldier preened, “I couldn’t let those knife-eared grey skins and their associates think they’re welcome here. Filthy pirates wouldn’t even pay me.”

“The rightful pirates-ah ‘citizens’ of Stros M’Kai, thank you.” The pirate captain sneered. The Imperial soldier opened his mouth to say something when he paused; his eyes slid over to Aelyn, locking onto her with a grin. 

“You don’t belong here.” There was a strange sheen to them, reminiscent of the eye that had watched her in the farmhouse. 

The two figures shifted into monsters. Their ‘faces’ looked like something out of a nightmare. Little eyes swiveled this way and that in their sockets; they had no nose, no mouth, but tentacles protruded from their faces in place of hair or a beard. Two sets of clawed hands reached out from beneath a decaying robe. Where their abdomen should have been was a ‘mouth’ like that of a leech, with many rings of razor-sharp teeth around a dripping orifice that made her want to vomit. They floated unnaturally a few feet off the ground, with bodies made of writhing tentacles. Aelyn screamed at the horror that was their form as they rushed toward her.

“Ugh, Seekers.” Val brandished his cutlass, and Aelyn scrambled away from the creatures, her hand shaking as she pulled out her dagger. 

One swiped at Val with its claws as the other shot some sort of pressure effect at Aelyn. It hit her square in the chest, knocking her off her feet. She hit the ground hard enough to knock the air from her lungs. She suddenly felt weak, like the creature was siphoning her strength away from her. She glanced at Val, who was busy fending off the other Seeker. With each passing moment, it became harder for her to crawl backward, away from the advancing horror. It began to make a strange clicking noise that would haunt her nightmares for years to come. Its mouth flexed, the rings of teeth wriggling as it drew closer to its prey, and she realized in terror it was excited. She couldn’t run, struggling to get to her feet as it reached her. With a flash of steel, its hands fell from the withered arms they had been connected to; the Seeker screeched. 

“Oh Gods-” Aelyn whimpered as Val quickly dispatched the creature. 

“You alright? It got you with a spell?” He held out his hand, helping her to her feet. 

“Yea – I think…” She could barely gasp for breath, “Drain vitality.” 

Val pulled off his pack, grateful he’d had the foresight to grab a few things before they had opened the book. He pulled out a stamina potion and handed it to Aelyn. She greedily drank it down, sighing in relief as she felt the vise gripping her lungs begin to recede. A peal of laughter had her nearly jumping out of her skin- the whole place had set her on edge. They both swung around to find a ghostly apparition; if Aelyn wasn’t mistaken, it was Fathis. 

“Fathis!” She called, but then realized it was only Val’s memory of him.

“Val, I can’t believe your plan worked! The port’s ours! Let’s meet up with Tarek and tell him the good news.” His form shifted and dissipated, but Val kept staring at the spot where it had been. 

“Fathis and I used to be inseparable. I should have taught him more, should have taken him under my wing.” His visage was one of guilt, loss, and regret. "But I was too concerned with what my father thought back then."

“He really was like a brother, you?” Aelyn mused softly. Val’s head drooped. 

“Yeah...” He sheathed his sword.

“Val-” She began but he didn’t want to hear her words. She’d likely try to rob him of his guilt, his regret. He knew better; he deserved this; after all, this whole place had been formed from his own memories. 

“Let’s keep moving. We’ve definitely gotten Mora’s attention by now.” Val crossed the platform, leading them across the docks toward a dead end. 

A small island, ringed with towers of books, papers shuffled and fluttered from the stacks as they reached a small island. On the opposite side – finally, something Aelyn recognized. Another black book. She knew enough of Apocrypha that the only way to navigate the place was through Mora’s black books. Sometimes gifts of knowledge, but more often than not, they acted as a sort of sigil stone, blinking the individual into, around, and out of his realm. She started toward it when Val placed a hand on her shoulder. 

How had she missed him? Standing directly before them was an incarnation of Tarek. Aelyn backed up a step. Tarek was dead; she’d left him to die a slow death, like the one he’d condemned Fathis to. His gaze slid over to Aelyn briefly before focusing back on Val. A mass of eyes and tentacles began to take shape just behind his form as Val approached him, and she realized that it wasn’t Tarek but Hermaeus Mora. Her heart started to pound; he knew she was there. He knew. Of course, he knew, and he saw her. Tarek grinned and opened his arms to Val as the eyes in the mass behind him watched Aelyn with chilling intent. 

“Took you long enough to get here, boy.” The smile was a little off, the voice somewhat strange, as the creature puppeted its interpretation of Tarek. It was eerily close to the real thing, but… Off. “Where’s Fathis? Did you lose him?” 

“You can drop the act.” Val eyed the apparition, “I’m here for information.”

“Is that any way to talk to your old shipmate? How about some honest piracy? It’s who you really are.” The creature was taunting him. It knew the secret in Val’s heart, that he didn’t entirely hate being a pirate. It knew all the parts that were still tangled up inside him, the self-loathing, the longing for the sea, the thrill, the allure of power…

“You don’t know me creature.” He knew better than to let Mora get to him, but there was an offer hidden in its taunt. It wanted to know him, his secrets, what made him tick, “Is that what you’d like to bargain? Knowledge for knowledge.”

“You want to know what happened to poor Fathis.” The imitation of Tarek’s voice began to break apart; the watery, deep voice Aelyn had heard upon entering Apocrypha laced Tarek’s words. His mannerisms began to seem less and less human, his limbs jerking, head tilting unnaturally. “I’d like to know why, considering he died a traitor… The first time.” Mora’s jab got to Val before he could school his reaction. 

“The first time?” The urgency in his voice betrayed him, “What do you mean?”

“A bargain is a bargain, Seeker,” Tarek smirked, it had him. “Knowledge for knowledge.” 

Val stepped forward, ready to make his deal with Hermaeus Mora, when Aelyn stopped him. If he became Hermaeus Mora’s servant once more, she shuddered to think of the implications. She knew in her heart that Val would be forced to turn her over to him, and she would go willingly. There was no way she’d be able to fight Val, and then it would all be over—Val, her, Remi, everything would lay in ruins. Aelyn drew her dagger and plunged it directly into Tarek’s heart. It snarled. Her eyes went wide in fear; Val grabbed the collar of her tunic and threw her backward as the tentacles behind Tarek lashed out. 

“Welcome, little one.” The amorphous mass of eyes and tentacles reached for her again as Tarek’s form fell to the ground. “This place wasn’t meant for you.” It growled, and the mass split into two, taking shape as large eyes and tentacles sprouted around the floating orbs. 

Val gathered lightning in his hand as he cut back the writhing limbs of each of the creatures. Terror had settled in Aelyn’s gut, and she reached within for her fire, knowing full well she was announcing her presence by doing so. Let him come and find her; she’d turn him to ash, she told herself before rational thought took over. He would strip her mind from her, and once again, she’d be forced into his service, bound to his will. The flames died before she could even call them forth. She could hear Mora laugh, amused by the drama unfolding before it. 

Tentacles wrapped around her legs, Aelyn cut away the ones attempting to bind her arms as she was dragged toward the Eye; a dark chasm was opening up behind the entity, and she knew just what was in store for her. Mora would present her as a gift to him after it’d wrung her dry of all the information it could. 

She used the tentacle attached to her leg to pull the eye closer, slamming her blade into the jelly of its body. It seized and writhed, tentacles flailing, throwing her to the ground as it melted from existence. She rolled to her feet, catching her breath. 

“Why did you stop me?!” Val sounded angry as he sheathed his sword, having handled the other creature that had been summoned. 

“Are you kidding me?!” Aelyn sidestepped the puddle of black ichor that had been the Eye. “You want me to watch you sell yourself into his service again? You have no idea the conse-”

“When I make a Daedric Prince angry, I’d like to have a plan first! Let’s hear yours, I’ll wait.” He crossed his arms over his chest. 

“Maybe if you had just listened to me earlier, we wouldn’t even have to be here!” Aelyn yelled. “But no, your idea is best, right? You know it’ll work, so there’s no point in hearing any other options?! Gods, you’re-” She bit her tongue. 

“I’m what?” He stepped closer to her in challenge.

“Insufferable.” Aelyn took a breath while Val tried to cool his head. “This place… It’s designed to manipulate you, Val.” His expression softened somewhat. 

“I’m aware. It was built from the contents of my mind that I chose.” He emphasized the fact that he knew what the place was, better than anyone, really. “Do you have a point?” Aelyn backed up a step. 

“Why are you so damn hard on yourself? You chose this? It’s like your own personal torture chamber.” Aelyn sheathed her dagger. 

“I have to be. Weak captains get killed.” 

Suddenly, Aelyn was reminded of how Val had reacted to Kyr’s fate from Frostmere Crypt and how he’d pushed her away right after. She’d reminded him then that they had each other to rely on. So why was he bent on trying to be strong now? 

“Like you almost were?” Her words were soft, but Val still blinked at her in surprise. 

“Yeah. Just like that.” His shoulders fell. “I should’ve known better…”

“I don’t think that’s strength, Val.” She was praying she could get through to him somehow. “That’s fear. Strength is something else. It’s the ability to be compassionate because you’re strong enough to handle the risks. It’s how you can be hurt and still heal. Not how tall you build your walls. What if this place was built from your best memories instead?”

“You mean... What? If I revealed things I was proud of?” Val scoffed and then realized she was serious. “Well, I mean… I guess that would be better. Good, even. Maybe I never would have found myself on that road outside of Solitude.” He seemed to mull it over for a moment. “Daedric Princes push us toward the extremes.” Val smirked, “You’ll tell me if my head gets too big, right?” Aelyn laughed a little. 

“It’s far too late for that, Captain.” She teased. “I’m not sure how we all fit in that little boat to the Dark Rose, you, me, and your big head.” He laughed and guided them toward the black book at the other end of the island. 

“Well, we aren’t done yet.” His face fell; he knew what was coming in the next chapter as he picked up the book. 

“Val,” Aelyn called his attention to her. “Whatever is in here, we’re gonna find Fathis,” she assured him as he opened the book, and they were again swallowed by darkness. 

Chapter Text

“Is this… Where is this?” Aelyn looked around to find them in the cargo hold of a ship. It was empty; holes had been blown in the side, and water filled the lower deck. 

“Don’t touch the water,” Val warned. 

“Is this one of yours?” She asked, wondering if this ship had been one of the many he’d raided in his time as a pirate. Val blew out a breath. Aelyn peeked out of one of the holes in the ship to see a horde of burning ships, the ghosts of Val’s memories running about, attacking one another, screaming, dying, laughing, cheering… Aelyn took the first two steps up the stairs that led out of the hold and onto the main deck before Val stopped her. She was eager to get through this, find Fathis, and get out of this place. Val seemed less enthusiastic. 

“Hold on.” He grasped her hand. She turned toward him, her brow furrowed. Desperation seeped into his voice as it caught, unable to hide his apprehension. His hand trembled. “I need to explain before you see what’s out there.” Aelyn paused; she’d never seen him quite like this.

“What is it?” She knew he had been a pirate and was under no delusion about what that meant. She’d lived with mercenaries until she left the Fighter’s Guild; she hadn’t been sheltered from the violence of the world by any means, which made the fear in his voice set her on edge. Whatever was out there had to be something truly monstrous. 

“I told you once, my hands aren’t clean. My father said kill, you killed. There are no spectators on a pirate ship.” His gaze shifted to the tattered banner that hung in the doorway, separating the hold from the main deck. “I served under his command for a lot of years, then, I was the one in command. We were still corsairs. You understand?”

“Val-I know. We’ve had to kill bandits and Falmer and all sorts of enemies. Why would this be any different?” Aelyn grew more concerned the longer he hesitated. 

“No, this. This is where it all started. My first real raid.” He wasn’t meeting her eyes again, “It was a merchant ship, and the captain’s son was on board. He couldn’t have been more than thirteen, about the same age as me at the time.” Dark shadows passed behind his eyes, and a chill crept along Aelyn’s skin. She understood, probably better than he would ever know. “The kid was brave. Grown men fighting all around on the deck and he still held a sword. He didn’t even know how to use it.”

“You killed him.” She said softly, her heart clenched, children. They had been children. Tarek was a monster, forcing his own son to-

“Yes. I killed that boy.” 

“Val… You were a child. Tarek made you do it. When are you going to stop owning his sins? You said it yourself! He told you to kill, you killed!” She tried to argue. 

“I still did it.” His was resolute, defensive even. Whether the truth of the matter was something different or not, it was a sin he’d carry for the rest of his days. 

They stepped out onto the deck; his memories of the fight faded in and out of sight as they approached the only ‘real’, solid body onboard. The boy. Gods, she’d forgotten what thirteen actually looked like, such an innocent face. He lay in a pool of blood, the sword still in his hand, and another boy – a memory from its ghostly presence, stood over him. Val. 

Her heart shattered.

 She understood; it wasn’t just the merchant captain’s son who had died that day, but the child Val had been. She gasped, covering her mouth to stifle the sound, but he’d already heard it and winced. 

“Do you think father is proud of me? I was brave. I didn’t cry.” The ghost of Val as a child asked aloud as they approached. “Lookin’ out to sea. This will be a grand adventure. I’ll be… ruthless. A corsair! The master of the ocean!” The apparition seemed to look a little lost for a moment before it disappeared, and then it was just Val and Aelyn aboard the ship. The silence was almost deafening. 

“So, still believe what you said?” He asked quietly. 

“You’re not the person you used to be. You’ve changed for the better.” She took a step toward him, and almost like a frightened animal, his lip lifted in a snarl.

“Look around you!” He pointed to the vessels that had been burned to the waterline. “Who exactly do you think I am?!” His anger immediately melted into regret. He stood under the weight of her unwavering gaze, that clear, unblinking stare. He hated that she was seeing this. Didn’t she realize? The only reason he hadn’t returned to the Dark Rose after confronting Tarek… Had been her. She’d made him want to try. Yet, all he’d done was drag her down. He’d implicated her with the Star; she’d almost died when Tarek had sent the assassins after him, caught in the crossfire of his problems; even her involvement with the Thieves Guild had been his fault. He’d brought her there, introduced her to Delvin, and like sharks scenting blood in the water, they’d tried to eat her alive. 

“I think…” She paused, choosing her words while he held his breath. “I think you’re someone worthy of forgiveness.” She was still angry about the lies, but this was another matter. 

His value as a person didn’t change based on their issues. She needed to make that clear to him. Something, she suspected, wasn’t true under Tarek. That and… her loyalty wasn’t something so easily shaken. She’d made mistakes too, and if she couldn’t forgive his sins, then who would dare believe she could ever be forgiven for hers? Val stared at her for a long moment, unsure how to respond. 

“When I took command of the Dark Rose, I swore never to take another innocent life. I failed at keeping that promise for years before I learned to keep it.” His sins weren’t so easily absolved, and the look in her eyes made him feel guilty rather than vindicated. He didn’t deserve absolution. “Let’s… Keep moving.” He said slowly, still looking at her dumbfounded, unable to process the words she’d spoken. 

They moved toward the bow of the ship. Another black book awaited them, its pedestal ringed with skulls. Aelyn had a sick feeling in her stomach that was somehow linked to how many innocents had died at Val’s hands. She gripped his hand as they turned the page, being pulled in once more toward the all-consuming darkness. 

In the next moment, they’d found themselves aboard the Dark Rose once again. Cheers surrounded them, and the crew seemed overjoyed as they approached a memory of Tarek waiting for Val outside of the Captain’s quarters. 

“Ah, he’s back!” Tarek’s voice echoed as his semi-transparent face grinned triumphantly. “Welcome aboard, son! Glad to see you made something of yourself while you were away.” His joy was infectious, and Aelyn began to understand how easily it would have been to get hooked on his approval. The way he proclaimed Val as his son made it seem like Val could do no wrong in that moment.“Did your old man proud in the Imperial Navy of all places.” Ghost-Tarek chuckled. Aelyn raised her brows and shot Val a look, but he didn’t seem amused. He could only stare at the apparition with cold disdain. “We’ve got a lot to plan now. Meet me in my cabin once your gear is stowed.”

Tarek faded as he moved toward the door to the cabin. It took Aelyn a moment to realize Val wasn’t staring at where his father had disappeared but up on the quarter-deck. Aelyn’s breath caught; surely this was another trick? Fathis stood at the helm, watching them. No, not Fathis. His eyes bore into her with an unnerving eagerness as he smirked slightly before beckoning Val forward. Hermaeus Mora. 

Chapter Text

They climbed the steps one by one, slowly approaching Not-Fathis, the Dunmer look-a-like. He looked oddly like Tarek, with the same cheekbones as Val and the same nose, but even more so than Val, his chin was the spitting image of Tarek. His face seemed less cruel, with the same easy smile Tarek wielded, though it lacked Tarek’s spitefulness. Not-Fathis’s eyes gleamed in triumph as his visage twisted. Behind him, Aelyn spotted a black book. She wracked her brain but could only come up with one reason why Mora would choose to show up at that moment. They were at the end. Somewhere on this ship was the piece they had been searching for.

“Well, well,” Not-Fathis began with a sneer as they approached, “here’s the snow-back pretty boy. The prodigal son. You think you can just stroll back here like you never left? A year away in the godsdamned Imperial Navy, just to piss Tarek off?” It scoffed. “Well, congratulations. He’s thrilled. Everyone’s thrilled for you to honor us with your presence.”

“Tarek kicked me off the ship. I didn’t exactly have a choice-” Val started before Not-Fathis cut him off. 

“To Oblivion with you. You always had all the choices! What did I have?! The blame, the beatings, the suffering for your mistakes!” Not-Fathis clenched his fists; he was angry, but in his words was also hurt. Aelyn’s brow furrowed. She was missing something – Fathis wasn’t just like a brother to Val. He was his brother. Gods, how had she not seen it before? Why had Val not said anything?

“Mistakes?! My mistakes?” Val’s volume increased. his words laced with a dangerous edge; Not-Fathis was getting under his skin. Val didn’t allow himself to make mistakes because Not-Fathis was right. If he did, the blame moved on to someone else; someone else always suffered when he messed up. It was like Tarek had found the chink in Val’s armor each time, digging in deep with the sharp point of his disappointment until Val couldn’t stand himself. “I’ve covered for your fuck-ups more times than I can count!”

“And there it is. I’m just the unwanted bastard who only gets noticed when you and Tarek need someone to blame.” Not-Fathis seemed to shift, looking more real, more life-like, almost losing all semblance of the strange Not-Fathis altogether. “You were always his favorite. You sound just like him.” Val saw red. 

“You have no right! YOU-” His eyes caught Aelyn’s for a brief moment, and he paused. She felt out of place; he was looking at her strangely, as though she didn’t belong, like she was an oddity that wasn’t supposed to be there. His eyes shot back to Not-Fathis, his voice a measure calmer, “You aren’t real. You’re just a memory. I didn’t come here for this.” 

The image of Fathis faltered, its skin taking on a greenish sheen, its eyes fading to the same monstrous yellow as Not-Tarek had before. Mora didn’t know how to respond to that. When Not-Fathis spoke again, its voice had changed to the watery, deep tone of Hermaeus Mora.

“This is the way it happened, though. The beginning of our end.” It said, seemingly confused. 

“No.” Val shook his head, “It wasn’t always like this. We were like brothers once. It didn’t have to happen this way. It doesn’t have to keep happening.”

“That is a lie!” Not-Fathis said sternly, “ And lies will not be cataloged in Apocrypha, insolent Seeker.”

“You’re just a creature wearing my brother’s face! I don’t owe you anything!” Val unsheathed his sword, readying for a fight. 

The image of Not-Fathis shuddered and snarled. Aelyn’s eyes went wide as she watched it change into a nightmarish horror. It grew, towering well over their heads, its face a maw of tentacles and razor-sharp teeth, its hands lengthening into cruel-looking claws as Not-Fathis’s skin blackened and peeled backward. 

It pulled back to sink its claws into Val. Aelyn saw her opportunity and rushed in with her dagger drawn. She barely reached its waist as she plunged her blade into its belly and twisted, pulling messily, black ichor spewing forth and covering her. Val dodged its initial attack, blocking its second with his cutlass. Its tentacles reached for Aelyn, flinging her across the quarter-deck; she crashed into the railing. The creature clawed at its wound as Val quickly cut through its other 'hand'. Aelyn struggled to her feet just in time to see the abomination pin Val to the deck. 

She knew better. She knew it was a death sentence, but… The creature wailed in terror as it burst into flames. Val scooted away from the burning terror. It banked left, falling over the rail and screeching as it fell into the inky waters below. Aelyn felt the air shiver, and while He hadn’t found her yet, He knew without a doubt she was there. They needed to leave. Quickly. 

“So much more fun to stand back and watch.” A dark whisper came from behind her. Aelyn jumped, turning to see Not-Fathis sitting on the deck, a deep wound to its side—much like the one Aelyn had seen when she’d found Fathis on the side of the road. It grinned at her, thoroughly entertained by her abject horror. She’d practically lit a godsdamned beacon for Him; it wouldn’t take long. 

“Val-” Aelyn began, trying to catch her breath, but his attention had been caught by Not-Fathis and the little pantomime Mora was intent on acting out. 

“Just like… In Solitude…” It coughed, and instead of spitting up blood, black ichor painted its lips. “Go on, brother, kill me. It’s the only choice.”

“No,” Val said quietly at first, a beat of silence lingered. Then, finding his confidence, he continued, “There’s always a choice. We fought often, but we always made it right. It was so much more good than bad.” He shook his head, a hint of a smile flickering across his lips. His gaze moved to Aelyn briefly, recalling what she’d said about filling the place with better memories, “I never told Hermaeus Mora about that, but I’m done hiding it. I love my brother, and I will find him.” Not-Fathis ticked its head to the side and nodded as if putting the pieces together. Fathis was Val’s brother, not just in a metaphorical sense, but his half-brother. “Now, what couldn’t Fathis tell me?” Not-Fathis grinned as if it was in on the world’s best joke. 

“Very well. Look in the hold, Seeker. Your answers have always been here.” It smiled before fading away. 

“Let’s hurry.” Aelyn urged, following Val down the steps with a swiftness. 

As they entered the hold, they caught sight of a memory of Fathis, ghost-like in nature once again, pacing through the area, up and down a row of racks stacked with cots for the crew. 

“This damned amulet!” He was frantic, clutching his chest; some strange-looking necklace hung there. “I wish I’d never found it. I can’t seem to take it off!” Suddenly, he crouched down, clutching at his head and muttering to himself. “No, I already gave you Zirik. I know Val tried to stop us, but you can’t have him! I won’t do it.” He was sobbing, tearing at his hair, at the amulet around his neck. “No!” He cried, “Not that either! I-I’ll think of something else. What more do you want from me?!” 

“Gods…” Aelyn breathed. She risked a look at Val; he’d turned white as a sheet – all while they watched ‘Fathis’ break apart.

 “Get out of my head.” Fathis mumbled, “I’ve given you enough!” He was sounding more resolute by the moment, “You can have my soul if you can pry it from my corpse!” 

Oh. Oh, it suddenly made so much horrifying sense. Molag Bal was playing a cruel joke on Fathis. Hermaeus Mora had said, ‘while Fathis lives and dies’, the Daedric Prince of Domination was killing Fathis over and over again, all the while splicing his soul each time. Aelyn’s hand flew to her mouth. Gods, she hoped Val didn’t realize what she had. The memory of Fathis faded, and in his place, a very real-looking journal lay on the ship’s floorboards. Val carefully picked up the book, looking confused. 

“I can’t begin to guess how this journal ended up in here, but this is Fathis’s handwriting.” His voice shook as he flipped through the journal. “He wrote about finding a relic cursed by Molag Bal. Wait, wait – I know that place!” Hope burst to life within him. “We went there years ago, but I had no idea what he’d found!” He smiled at her; they had a heading. “I can take us there with the Dark Rose. Let’s get out of here; there’s nothing further to be learned.”

“Let’s not waste any more time.” Aelyn climbed the steps two at a time out of the hold. Her hair was rising up on end; she could feel the air shifting. He was close. She practically ran to the black book at the stern of the ship. 

“Slow down.” Val reached her just in time as she turned the page in the black book, transporting them one last time. 

This time, they stood on an island, an enormous tome laid out before them. Surely, this was the exit – text swirled and bunched, flowing across the pages. 

“Hey, I—” He had wanted to reassure her, but the panicked look on her face had him stalling. She’d seemed a little off throughout their whole journey through Apocrypha. He thought she had been upset by his memories, by the darkness that lurked within him. He was now reconsidering that idea. Something else had hold of her.

“There’s no time. We need to leave. Now.” She shook him off.

He felt it then, moments after she did, a shift in the atmosphere. It felt… like her. It was that same odd, elemental feeling in the air he sensed when she used her magic, like a quickening of his pulse but all around him. It was suddenly overwhelming, closing in, pressing against his skin uncomfortably. She glanced over her shoulder, her growing terror almost palpable. 

“Aelyn, what’s wrong?” He demanded. 

“Please.” She was close to tears, shoving him at the book. He obliged, grasping her hand and turning the page. They’d sort it out on the other side. He wasn’t sure what had her so spooked, but he could feel the energy close to igniting around them. Whatever it was, it was very real.

Darkness swallowed him.

She watched in desperation as his fingers slipped through hers, and Val was pulled into the book, back to the mortal realm. Without her. 

Chapter Text

“Val!” Aelyn grasped at empty air, “Val!” She cried frantically, flipping the pages and scrabbling at the book. “No. No! No-no-no-” She pressed her hands down on the swirling ink. Three green orbs rose from the book before her.

“A parting gift.” The voice of Hermaeus Mora came from over her shoulder. 

“I don’t want a gift; let me out of here.” Her vision blurred with unshed tears. “Please, let me out of here-”

“I had always planned for you to return; I did not think you would come to me so… Willingly.” It chuckled, sounding pleased. She whirled around to face the mass of tentacles and eyes that writhed in the air before her. 

“Return me to mundus, now!” She demanded, frantic with fear. Any second, the fabric of this pocket of Apocrypha would rip open, and He would find her. 

“Make a deal with me; I can be gracious. Accept my gift, and I will return you to my Seeker. Though I would hurry, someone here is quite eager to see you.” The tentacles reached for her, gently taking her by the shoulders and turning her back toward the book. “Now, choose.”

This had been its aim all along. Oh Gods, how long had Mora had this moment planned? It knew she’d be frantic to do anything to escape Him. Desperate to get away, enough to even make a deal with Mora, handing herself willingly over to the Daedric Prince of Fate’s influence. Had it gone easy on Val for his disobedience so he wouldn’t fear returning? Did it know she would come with him? It didn’t matter; the air around her was buzzing, and she had mere seconds to escape before she was caught. 

Aelyn snatched the orb in the middle. The green light of the orb unwound, tracing along her skin before racing up her arm. She gasped, afraid, not even sure what she had chosen, as she felt a searing brand make itself known on the inside of her upper arm. She lifted her arm, rolling up the sleeve of her tunic to see a tattoo that looked oddly familiar. The ink began to swirl across the pages of the book, coalescing into menacing tentacles, pulling her closer. Aelyn had never been so eager to be dragged into its darkness. She glanced over her shoulder. One last look to make sure she had gotten away safely. 

Her heart stopped. There, past the mass of eyes and tentacles, she could see the tear in the fabric of Apocrypha opening as she was pulled into the book. His hands were gloved in gold-plated dragon scales, his robes moth-eaten and faded from a once rich purple hue, and as ever, his face obscured by the golden mask, reminiscent of the visage of a Seeker as he stepped onto the small island. He had found her. She screamed in terror as she was swallowed by the darkness.

In the next moment, she was standing in the cabin on the Dark Rose. Sun shone through the line of windows at the back of the cabin, casting a golden glow across the space. Her feet were firmly planted on the plush rug that Val’s desk and chair sat upon in the center of the space. She nearly pitched sideways as the vessel rocked along the ocean waves. Val stood near the edge of the desk, black book in hand, frozen as he was about to open it again. 

“Aelyn?” He dropped the book onto the table, pulling her to him. 

“Val!” She choked his name out in relief.

“What happened? Why didn’t you come through with me?” He asked, checking her over gingerly for any obvious injuries. 

“Mora stopped me. It…” Aelyn trailed off, looking for the words. 

“It what?” He prompted when she paused again. 

“Forced me into a deal.” She hadn’t even begun considering the implications of what she’d agreed to with Hermaeus Mora. 

“A deal? What deal?” He demanded.

“I-I’m not entirely sure.” She frowned, and he blanched. 

“What?” Val sounded angry. “You made a deal with a Daedric prince without even knowing the terms?!”

“It’s not like I had much of a choice!” Aelyn stepped back from him. “Besides, if you had just listened to me, we wouldn’t have even been there.”

“Don’t.” Val frowned. “Don’t you dare try to blame me for this. There’s always a choice-”

“You know better, Val. You know, there’s only one way that journal was even in Apocrypha.” She argued. 

“You don’t know that!” He snapped at her.

“The only way that book was there is because it was on the ship,” Aelyn yelled as she stood rooted to the spot, white-knuckled and still reeling from what had transpired. Val turned on his heel and strode out the door, slamming it behind him. She sank to the floor, tears running down her face. Gods damn it, that was not the way she thought that conversation was going to go. She was still shaking. The image in her mind of the golden glint of His mask caused the rush of anxiety to continue ravaging her sense. 

Val strode out of the cabin and directly toward the lower deck. He made his way to the fo’cs’le, intent on proving Aelyn wrong. Each member of the crew knew better than to be in his way by the look on his face. Yet, when he stopped by Fathis’s bunk, he found himself hesitating. He grabbed Fathis’s bag, dumping its contents out onto his bunk. He scanned the items, stopping, defeatedly, on a small, leather-bound journal. She had been right. 

Aelyn wasn’t sure how long she’d been huddled up on the floor, crying her eyes out. The sun was sinking below the horizon, and still, Val hadn’t returned. Not that she minded. She would have been mortified for him to find her in such a state. She pulled herself up off the floor and made her way over to the looking glass tucked into a small alcove by the door. 

She was a mess. She was covered in dried, black ichor. Her hair was sticking to her face, and her eyes were puffy and swollen. She had cried so much that her tears had left salt tracks down her cheeks. 

She lifted the pitcher of water from the washstand just below the mirror and poured it into the basin. Things could be worse, she decided as she scrubbed her face and rinsed her hair. After all, Mora had not outlined the terms of their deal, which meant both ends were up for negotiation. Or had it? Mora had been insistent that she took one of its ‘gifts’, and there was the brand on her arm to consider. She knew better than to hope that was the end of it.

Aelyn pulled her tunic over her head and tossed it on the floor, inspecting the brand on the inside of her arm in the mirror. She frowned. She’d committed to something even if she didn’t fully understand what. 

Picking up the soap from its dish just inside the basin, Aelyn started to scrub in earnest. Stubbornly pushing aside the thought of how the soap smelled like Val, she rinsed with the water in the jug. Standing before her reflection in her trousers and breast binding, her skin pink from scrubbing, her hair in wet, limp lengths about her shoulders, she was somewhat more satisfied. 

Digging around in Val’s wardrobe, she pulled out a clean shirt, avoiding the fancy patterned ones and ones made of silk. It was actually harder to find something plain and unadorned than not. Aelyn groaned. She was standing in his cabin, smelling like his soap and wearing his shirt.  

Val sat near the helm; his arm slung over the rail, his eyes cast seaward, Fathis’s journal in his lap, his supper on a plate beside him barely touched. The wind was in their favor, their heading locked in. The island mentioned in Fathis’s journal wasn’t far. If they were lucky, it’d be within sight by the morning. Not fast enough. The decks were empty, most of the crew were in the galley, eating a dinner of hard tack and salted fish. He hadn’t missed the food. But the wind, the open water, the stars as they began to appear in the sky, his heart ached for it all. 

It ached for other things as well. He tried to banish the feeling that had bloomed within him when she’d told him that he deserved forgiveness, but it refused to be ignored. He smirked; the sensation was a little like her, stubborn and tenacious, quietly creeping into every little crack in his heart. She’d seen all his worst sins and hadn’t even blinked. Val sighed deeply; he hadn’t meant to yell at her. Someone clearing their throat snapped him out of his reverie. He hadn’t even heard them approach. It was no surprise to find Aelyn herself standing before him. She had an incredibly soft step. 

What did surprise him was her wet hair and his shirt tied at her waist, with the sleeves rolled up about a half-dozen times each so as not to hang off her arms. 

“I think I owe you an apology.” She said quietly, not making eye contact. He tried to hide the smirk forming in the corner of his mouth. 

“You know, people generally look someone in the eye when offering an apology.” He couldn’t help himself; seeing her in his shirt was doing something for him. She turned those orange-streaked blue eyes on him, and he’d be damned if his breath didn’t catch. 

“I’m sorry.” She offered him sincerely.

“I am, as well. You were right; I just didn’t like it.” He admitted, noting the slight flush to her cheeks as he drank her in. 

“Is that it?” Aelyn nodded to the journal in his lap. 

“Yeah. If I had just looked like you said…” Val shook his head, frowning at himself. “Have you eaten?” She shook her head. 

“Ah, no. I’m not… Very familiar with how things work on a ship.” That much was evident; at least she wasn’t falling over every time the ship rocked anymore. Val tried to stifle a chuckle. 

Aelyn made to sit on the deck near where he’d propped himself up on a crate. He did a quick visual sweep of the decks and pulled her into his lap instead. 

“Val!” She gasped, and then he laughed. 

“Surely a better seat than the deck?” He grinned, shifting her so that she could lean back against the rail. “Eat.” He nodded toward his untouched plate once more. She was too worn out to argue, and for once, the physical proximity with him was more soothing than nerve-wracking. 

Aelyn took the plate, eagerly tearing into the not-quite-stale bread and cheese. They sat for a while in silence, Val staring at the sea and Aelyn examining the rigging, mentally mapping out the system of pulleys and sails until the stars were fully out. She hadn’t realized she’d fallen asleep until Val was shaking her awake. 

“Hmm?” Aelyn sat up, a chill from the night air making her shiver. 

“Go sleep in the cabin.” Val gave her a little push. 

“The cabin?” Aelyn made a face. “It’s fine. I’ll find an empty bunk below deck.”

“Absolutely not.” Val shook his head, noting a shift in the wind; he needed to get to work if they were to reach the island by daybreak. 

“What do you mean ‘absolutely not’?” She already felt the gap between her and the crew; they hadn’t even spoken to her. “I don’t want your crew thinking I’m getting special treatment.” Val’s brows shot up. 

“Trust me, it’s better if they do think you’re getting special treatment. This is a pirate ship. You’re not sleeping below deck. I’m staying up here tonight, and you’re sleeping in the cabin. No one on board would dare mess with you after sleeping there.” He pushed her to her feet and followed suit. The night watch was emerging from below deck, checking the lines and clearing the deck. 

“What? What does that mean?” She asked, not understanding his intention. He leaned in from behind her, his hands on her shoulders.

“It sends a certain message.” He smirked and gave her a little push as her ears turned pink. 

Chapter Text

She’d done her best with the tunic, having rinsed it in seawater at least a dozen times. She hung it up on the bedpost, hoping it would be dry-ish by the morning. Aelyn sat on the edge of the bed, trying to calm her thoughts. She’d slept next to Val before, but for some reason, the idea of sleeping in his bed had her flustered; his comment about sending a message to the crew hadn’t helped either. She held the backs of her hands to her burning cheeks, attempting to cool them. Giving up when the heat in her face persisted, Aelyn instead pulled off her boots and stockings and tentatively laid back on the bed. His bed. 

She shifted trying to push the thought from her head. It was ridiculous; it was just a bed. It didn’t mean anything. What was she even so flustered about? It wasn’t like he was going to come into the cabin in the middle of the night and-

Nope. 

Not going there. 

Too late. 

Her imagination was already running wild. Perhaps she was still too strung out from the events of the day, but the notion of his hands on her had her burning up with need. The phantom feel of his lips on her, the idea of how he’d hold her, ignited her desire for more. Aelyn pressed her palms to her eyes, attempting to drive the thoughts out. 

He’d said he didn’t want their relationship to change. Right? Or had he meant something else? Aelyn re-ran the conversation in her head over and over again. She groaned. 

What was wrong with her? She’d never felt so mixed up, and even worse, they were on their way to rescue his brother. There were much more important things for her to focus on than whatever was brewing between them. Which, admittedly, could all be in her head. 

Aelyn turned on her side, pressing her face into his pillow. A mistake, Godsdamnit, it smelled like him. His shirt smelled like him, too. She was surrounded with little to no defense against her fantasies, mortified that she was losing control so easily. Her hand wandered over her hip and dipped between her thighs when she suddenly stopped. Not here. Not in his space. She was already feeling so shameful over the idea of touching herself while imagining someone she actually knew, but in his bed? It was almost like he was watching, like he’d know somehow what she’d done, and that both deterred her and encouraged her desire at the same time. 

Aelyn sat up abruptly. This wouldn’t do. She rummaged around the cabin, finding an old bearskin, wrapped it around herself, and curled up on the rug beneath his desk. 

The Dark Rose had reached the island before morning. Val had gone down to his cabin to wake Aelyn and found her sleeping on the floor. She hadn’t even pulled the duvet off the bed and instead had rolled herself up in an old animal skin. When he’d asked about it, she had abruptly changed the subject. She had slipped into her damp tunic and followed him out onto the main deck, however. It was clear she was intent on going with him. 

“I can’t ask you to go with me. He’s my brother, I’ll handle this.” Val attempted to dissuade her. She was already climbing into the row boat. 

“Serano, if you think you’re leaving me behind now, you’re kidding yourself.” She strapped her dagger to her waist, daring him to argue with her. He shook his head and got in the boat. 

He smirked as the little rowboat was lowered into the water. Aelyn shot him a suspicious look. Val had a habit of cornering her with invasive questions when he had her stranded with him. It was a few minutes of silence as he rowed them closer to the island, his little smirk tugging at Aelyn’s nerves.

“Out with it.” She huffed in defeat. 

“What?” He grinned. 

“There must be something on your mind. I can tell. You have that stupid smirk plastered on your face. What is it?”

“Just thinking.” He let the words linger until Aelyn was about to implode. “I can’t imagine why you’d be sleeping on the floor.” His brows shot up when she blushed; now, he was truly intrigued. 

“I just couldn’t sleep. Let it go.” She muttered. “We have more important things to focus on.”

His gaze settled on the island. She was right. He’d needle her about it later, although it was likely something to do with the fact she wasn’t used to sleeping on a ship. 

The ‘island’ was maybe twelve paces across, basically just a large hill of dirt in the middle of the ocean; Aelyn was in wonder that they’d even found it at all. Perhaps it had been bigger at one point; there were the remains of trees and other flora, though it looked like they’d be burned by the saltwater. She hopped out of the boat to help pull it ashore when they were close enough. 

“Well, this is it. We’re miles offshore, and the birds don’t land here so it’s hard to find if you don’t know what you’re looking for.” Val stood next to her; a set of steps cut into the landscape and wound up the hill before them. “Fathis was the only one who actually researched the location. At the time, I thought it was a good sign he was finally taking an interest in the ah, exploratory side of the business.” They began to climb the steps, and the foreboding sense of ill intent blanketed the small island. It was clearly ancient, and Aelyn wondered if there was, in fact, a conduit to Molag Bal hidden somewhere on the island. 

“Be on your guard,” Val warned. “This place was empty the last time I came here, and I have a feeling that won’t be the case this time.”

Instead of a large sweeping entrance to a temple, like Aelyn might’ve expected, there was simply a trap door in the ground at the top of the hill. A shiver ran down her spine. It was like a pit, a hole in the ground, a message that, once you entered, no one would ever find you. The absence of hope. 

Val pulled the door in the ground open, revealing a weathered ladder that descended into darkness. Val went in first, climbing down the ladder; Aelyn followed. At the bottom, there was a dim flickering light. Someone had lit the sconces within. 

They found themselves in a small stone vestibule; desiccated corpses littered the floor. Val paused, staring at one of them for a long moment. 

“What is it?” Aelyn asked, her voice sounding too loud in the silence. 

“I think… I think I recognize him.” Val’s face crumpled into disgust when he realized what he was looking at. Fathis had been forced to deliver souls to Molag Bal. The body he recognized was one of the merchants from the last ship they raided. It had been months ago. “This person was from one of our raids. Has Fathis been bringing people here?”

“Or handing them over to the Xivkyn.” Aelyn mused darkly. “He likely didn’t have a choice if his journal was any indication.” Val nodded, and they continued on down a long, well-lit hall; bodies were strewn about, some still rotting away, some much older. 

The atmosphere was oppressive; it clung to them, thickening the air as they drew closer to the door at the end of the hall. A dark thought crossed her mind: what would they find in there? What if Fathis was… No. Hermaeus Mora had said he lived and died again. She was certain they were reviving Fathis somehow. Her stomach churned, and that seemed even worse. Val hesitated at the door, his hand resting on the large round pull. Aelyn unsheathed her dagger, ready for there to be a fight. Molag Bal wasn’t likely to give up his prize easily. Val pushed open the door. Her heart sank. 

A large chamber opened up before them. The overpowering smell of blood assaulted their senses. The place had been bathed in it; it was everywhere. An elevated walkway led toward the opposite end, where a stage of sorts had been built into the stone. There, chained to a fountain that poured viscous red liquid, was Fathis. Val started forward, but Aelyn gripped his arm. 

She had felt it, the buzzing in the air, just before the fabric of reality ripped open near the altar, and three of the Xivkyn stepped out. Their ice-blue eyes glowed with an otherworldly menace as their focus dropped onto Val and Aelyn. 

“More tributes for our master,” one said cheerfully. 

“We knew you would come. Our lord will not be denied.” The one in the middle laughed darkly. The three daedra rushed toward them; Val drew his cutlass and gathered electricity in his free hand, ready for them. Aelyn crouched, preparing to dodge; her only hope was getting in close. Val released the lightning from his palm, striking directly into the chest of one to the left, it flew backward, hitting the ground, while the one in the middle drew back for a devastating blow. The Xivkyn to the right had Aelyn in its sights, tracking her with its blade when she rolled to the left, between Val and the center Dremora, causing the one on the right to clip the one attacking Val with its blade. She rushed toward the Xivkyn Val had hit with his lighting, it was struggling to its feet when she plunged her dagger into the seam of its armor between its body and its neck. It cried out, knocking her back as it flailed, clutching at its throat before it fell face-first to the ground. 

Aelyn skidded to a stop in time to see Val attempt to fend off the remaining two creatures. She reached within, intent on pulling her fire forth, only to find something strange. It felt hotter, burning wilder than before, the mark on her arm seared in pain as she pulled the fire out, her control of it hanging by a thread. The attention of both of the Xivkyn snapped to her; they were mid-strike; she yelped in surprise as the barely contained flames shot forth, engulfing one of Molag Bal’s servants. The other advanced, buzzing with excited energy as its comrade burned. It called out to her, and the words it spoke struck her with a fear so deeply ingrained into her being that her control over the flames flickered, threatening to consume the entire room with their heat. 

“Dragon fire.” 

It had completely disregarded Val, a fatal mistake. He easily slid his cutlass into its side; the Xivkyn fell to its knees before he slit its throat. 

“Aelyn!” He shouted as she was nearly consumed by the inferno. Yet, she didn’t burn. 

Aelyn choked in panic, the flames racing up her arms, singeing her tunic, burning her clothes, but her skin left remarkably unmarred. She tried to breathe, to calm herself, but it was Val’s voice calling her name that finally brought her back to her senses. 

They didn’t have time to ponder over what had happened. The deep, rumbling voice of Molag Bal filled the room. 

“I have a soul to claim.” The fabric of their reality trembled, “I want submission, suffering! You will die.” A void split open as a crimson wraith floated into the space.

Its claws dripped with fresh blood, its jaw falling open as an unholy scream tore through the air. Aelyn dropped to her knees, clutching her ears as Val clenched his jaw, gritting through the pain. Dark energy roiled around it, animating the desecrated corpses that littered the ground. 

“Focus your attacks; if you kill the wraith, the rest will fall,” Val yelled as they sprang into action. 

“I’ll play defense-” Aelyn kicked a particularly rickety corpse, her foot breaking apart its legs. “Ewww,” Val laughed as she started taking down the reanimated dead. 

“Have fun with that.” He grinned, facing off with the wraith. 

It lashed out with its claws at him; he parried with his cutlass, sending a bolt of lightning toward it. The wraith screamed, and Aelyn tried to cover her ears, sure they were about to tear. One corpse took the opportunity to throw itself at Aelyn, her fist collapsing its half-rotted chest. Ugh. She hated dealing with the undead. 

Val’s cutlass flashed, lopping off the Wraith’s arm while dodging an attack from the other clawed hand. He saw it wind up to scream again while he charged forward, sending a bolt of lightning through his blade and sinking it into the creature’s chest. The scream died in its throat as it fell to the floor. Aelyn and Val waited a beat, half expecting Molag Bal to send another wave of opponents at them, but silence lingered until Fathis groaned. They ran over to the altar he was tied to, Aelyn and Val working together to cut through Fathis’s bindings. 

“Captain!” Fathis gasped out, clearly surprised to see him as he came to. His eyes lingered on Aelyn for a moment as if he didn’t quite recognize her. “Uh, you’re-you’re great too.” Awkward. The moment the restraints were no longer holding him up, he collapsed onto Val. “H-how did you find me?”

“Just Val, please.” His voice shook, his face a mess of emotions, “We found your journal. Fathis, brother, I had no idea. I-I had no idea. I’m so sorry.” Fathis laughed. 

“I screw up and nearly get you killed, and somehow you’re gonna make it all about you. Val, you s’wit, you’re worse than Tarek.” Fathis attempted to stand, Val supporting him as he stood. Aelyn shifted on her feet, feeling awkward and stunned at their exchange. Val chuckled, setting him upright. 

“Alright, knock it off already. Are you alright? You look like shit.” Val gave him the same quick inspection he often gave Aelyn when checking for injuries. The atmosphere between them seemed familial. She felt almost like she was intruding; she’d not really had a family and never had siblings, and the whole situation mystified her. 

“I feel like shit.” Fathis shook his head. “You had good timing. They had just healed me up to start again. I… I don’t wanna talk about that.” He muttered, his hand falling to the superficial wound on his chest; they had carved the symbol of Molag Bal into his torso. 

“Damn it, I wish I had known what you were going through. I wish I had known about a lot of things…” Regret painted Val’s features. It rolled off of him in waves; he blamed himself. 

“I wish I had told you. You’d have been an insufferable ass about it, though.” Fathis rolled his eyes and then shot Val a smirk. 

“Probably.” Val laughed and then chided him, “But you’d have deserved it!” 

“Undoubtedly, brother.” Fathis tried to let out a self-deprecating laugh. “I couldn’t even sacrifice you to the Daedra properly.” He winced as his laugh cut a little too deep for his wounds that time. Aelyn’s brow furrowed. Broken ribs, most likely. “I always wondered which one of us would win in a real fight. I kinda hoped it would be you. I’m glad I wasn’t wrong.” He was a good soul; she could already see how much they resembled each other in the best of ways. That optimistic disposition, the good humor, and even the selflessness. “Eh-” Fathis shifted uncomfortably; he’d gotten too mushy. “You’re still a snowback pretty boy, though.” He added quickly and Val couldn’t keep his laugh in. 

“You knife-eared, ash-skinned bastard!” Val exclaimed in disbelief, “You wanted me to kill you? That was your plan?!”

“Uh, well, ‘plan’ is a strong term. I was, uh, caught up in the moment, y’know? Improvising!” He grinned, just like Val, “I was trying to kill you…” the smile faded, “Til I wasn’t.” Val shook his head. 

“What would Tarek say if he saw us now?” Val seemed to ask more to himself than anyone else. 

“Val, I know he’s your father. I guess he’s mine too… But to Oblivion with him! I don’t know what I expected, but I never should have gone looking for him. I should have trusted you.” Fathis’s eyes found the floor, “I’m sorry.” Silence lingered between them for a long moment. 

“We really are brothers, you know,” Val admitted. “Our father wanted us to be rivals. I shouldn’t have let my ambition come between us. I was wrong. I’m sorry, too.” Val rested his hands on his hips, suddenly finding his boot incredibly interesting. Fathis cleared his throat; the two men seemed to not handle the emotional weight of the moment well. Fathis cracked first. 

“You’re sorry, I’m sorry, everyone’s a sorry fetcher!” Fathis cast a sideways glance at Aelyn. “What about you? You don’t have anything to be sorry for, do you?”

“Uh, not at the moment.” The words slipped out of her mouth before she could really think it over, and Val had to cover his mouth to keep from laughing. Fathis nodded in approval.

“I thought you looked like a smart one. Never confess to anything.” He grinned at her. Then, a look of recognition bloomed across his face. “Wait, I think I know you. You were on the road by Solitude.” Aelyn flushed. She wasn’t sure why she suddenly felt embarrassed by that fact, but she had silently hoped she’d remain anonymous. 

“I was there,” Aelyn confirmed quietly, then cleared her throat. “You were pretty beat up.”

“Yeah, you offered me that healing potion. It was too late, though. What a way to meet.” Fathis shook his head incredulously, amazed by the chain of coincidences that must have transpired for all three of them to be standing in the same place together. “I’m not sure how you got mixed up in all this, but I know you didn’t have to come here.”

“Oh, I did. Val threatened me.” Aelyn smirked. 

“I did not-” He paused; she was teasing him. “How about we take this conversation on the road? I’d like to not be around should Molag Bal decide to send more reinforcements.” Fathis and Aelyn nodded in agreement with him. 

“Thank you for helping me,” Fathis offered her a smile as they fell in step behind Val. 

Chapter Text

“You need a healing potion? I think I have one…” Aelyn began rummaging through her satchel. 

“That…” Fathis tried to breathe deeply and winced, “Would hit the spot, actually.” Aeyln pulled out the small red bottle and handed it to Fathis, who promptly downed the entire thing, breathing in a sigh of relief after a moment. 

“I’ve had a few broken ribs a time or two. Hopefully that helps.” Aelyn offered him a half smile, which he returned. 

“It certainly does. I’ve felt worse, though.” Fathis puffed out his chest and then reconsidered, “No, that’s a lie.” He shook his head, and Aelyn laughed. “But, the sooner we get back to the Rose, the better. I’m eager to put some miles between myself and this place.”

“I can imagine.” She nodded.

The journey back to the Dark Rose seemed shorter than the journey to the island. Aelyn felt an overwhelming sense of relief wash through her at the sight of the Rose’s red sails, which was likely an ironic sensation compared to the dread her sails inspired in most. 

Once they were on board, it didn’t take much encouragement for the crew to begin to celebrate. It had been a difficult few weeks for them as well: their Captain ousted, the old Captain murdered, the first mate supposedly dead, the ship taken over by an interloper, and all the while, they had kept their day-to-day, unsure of their fates.

Aelyn found the crew much more welcoming, with a few drinks between them. It hadn’t been lost on anyone that Aelyn was, once again, in Val’s spare shirt. Her tunic had been burnt beyond repair. 

One brave soul had invited her to play a round of cards, which she promptly lost. The second, however, she also lost, but not as badly. It wasn’t long until a couple had brought out their instruments, a lute and flute, and their third drumming on an empty barrel. They were more than content to play, drink, and dance until the morning. 

After three dances, she found herself escaping to the quarter-deck, out of breath and slightly drunk, grinning stupidly. Val was nowhere in sight, but Fathis was leaning against the rail, watching the crew with an amused expression. He waved her over, and she leaned against the rail beside him, catching her breath. 

“The crew seems to like you,” He grinned. 

“Oh, a few days ago, you’d have not said as much. I’m sure they thought I was a witch. And Val had me convinced that they were going to knife me in my sleep.” Aelyn laughed and earned a chuckle from Fathis.

“They’re generally good-natured – for pirates, I mean. Most of the more unsavory types left with Tarek. They were probably just scared out of their wits that Val would beat them half to death if-” He paused, catching himself. 

“Fathis.” Aelyn called his attention again, “Are you going to be okay?” What he’d gone through had to have been scarring. To have been killed over and over again, his soul in splinters…

“I honestly… I don’t know.” He didn’t meet her eyes. He wasn’t even sure why he was sharing something like that with a relative stranger, but for some reason, Val trusted her enough to bring her along. She was clearly handy in a fight. That was enough for him. “But I’m alive and free, so it’s a start. That’s something Val always used to say when we were in a tough spot.”

They stood in companionable silence for a few moments. She found the brisk night air a relief after the crew had put her through her paces dancing. She couldn’t place it, but something about Fathis set her at ease. Perhaps it was that he was like Val in a lot of ways, though somewhat less… Antagonizing. 

“Hey, can I ask you something?” He spoke up suddenly.

“Hmm?” She cast her gaze out over the decks, scanning for Val. 

“Are you two… Together?” He narrowed his gaze on her, obviously watching her for any giveaways. Aelyn instantly flushed all the way to the tips of her ears.

“Uh… I mean, no? Friends, maybe? It’s complicated.” She wasn’t sure how to answer, but Fathis was laughing regardless. 

“Hah! It doesn’t surprise me that the idiot would make things harder than they need to be.” Fathis nudged her with his elbow, “He must have fallen hard for you; he looks happy. I haven’t seen him like that in a long time.”

“I-I… He’s, well-” Aelyn promptly shut her mouth. No good could come out of it at the moment she decided and scowled at her own embarrassment, which sent Fathis into a fit of laughter. 

Val emerged from his cabin, and a few crew members paused to greet him as he made his way up to the quarter-deck. He glanced suspiciously at Fathis when he saw the blush on Aelyn’s cheeks, which only made Fathis start laughing again. 

“Val, we were just talking about you.” He grinned.

“Were you?” His brow raised, and Aelyn took that as her cue to make a swift exit. She knew better; Val would only tease her mercilessly if she remained, and that was not something she wanted Fathis to be in on. 

“I’m going to get a drink,” She announced, finding her way back down to the main deck where the crew were still dancing and playing cards. 

Val watched her go with a grin. 

“She’s somethin’ else, huh?” Fathis blew out a breath. “I think I like her.”

“Hey!” Val shot a glare at him, and he laughed. Val blew out a breath in the same manner Fathis had, “You have no idea.”

“I’ve never seen you so smitten.” Fathis teased him. 

“Smitten? Me? I know you’ve been through a lot, but maybe you should take it easy; your head clearly isn’t right.” Val scowled, but it didn’t last. He was in too good of a mood to pretend to be angry. 

“Seems like the crew likes her too. I think half of them might have attempted to propose to her by now.” Fathis chuckled.

“Knock it off, or I’ll throw you overboard with the half that dared.” Val gave him a half-hearted shove. 

“I’m just saying you’re mad for bringing her on board. Look at ‘em; they’re enamored and drunk enough to forget to be scared of you.” Fathis warned, and Val bit the inside of his cheek. “If I were you, I’d get down there before some charming sailor sweeps her off her feet.”

“I had her sleep in the cabin last night,” Val admitted, and Fathis’ brows shot up in surprise. “It was to send a message! I slept up here.” 

“Val,” Fathis laid a hand on his shoulder, his voice sincere, “You’re an idiot.”

“What?” Val frowned. 

“Go dance with your girl. If you don’t, then I will.” Fathis smirked, and Val laughed, nodding, finally getting the message.

Aelyn wasn’t really sure what she’d been doing had been ‘dancing’ per se, but it was fun as she swung from one pair of arms to the next. She was certain the old man, missing half his teeth, had asked her to marry him at least twice. The second time, it’d nearly started a brawl with three others who’d claimed to be in love with her. It had been incredibly easy to break up the almost scuffle; she just had to look upset, and they behaved. The sailor she was currently dancing with spun her around twice more before the voice of Sanguine himself fell over her shoulder.

“May I cut in?” Val stepped to her side, and the sailor she’d been dancing with graciously bowed out. Aelyn flushed, not making eye contact with the smirking pirate as he took her hand in his. 

“Val, I don’t know how many times I need to tell you I can’t dance.” Aelyn rested her free hand on his shoulder as he pulled her in close. He gave her fingers a little squeeze, his palm pressed below her shoulder blades.

“How many times do I need to tell you, don’t worry, just follow my lead.” He grinned, pushing off as she naturally fell back a step, and he led her through a quick turn, keeping pace with the jaunty tune. 

“I was much drunker the last time we did this…” Aelyn muttered, his steps so quick and light she wondered if he’d float away if he let go. “Why are you so good at this anyway?”

“What can I say? I’m full of surprises.” His hand slid to her waist as he turned her in place and pulled her back against him, “I learned in High Rock. Spent a lot of time there when I was younger.” Aelyn nearly stumbled.

“The Corsairs that took Wayrest…” She gasped, and Val’s smirk could have ignited an iceberg. 

They were interrupted by a few vicious shouts from the other side of the ship. Two of the crew were in a fistfight over a game of cards. Val sighed deeply, letting go of Aelyn as he went to break up the fight. 

She watched him shoulder through the two men, dragging one to the side while two others grabbed the second man. She couldn’t hear what was being said, but he was having words with both of them. 

A wave of exhaustion fell over her. It had been a long day, with little rest the night before. With most of the crew’s attention focused on the fight on deck, she slipped into the cabin relatively unnoticed. 

It had taken Val longer than he’d liked to settle the crew down. There hadn’t been a good fight on board for weeks; it turned out the two men hadn’t even really been all that mad at each other. They’d just been restless, and all the drink, cards, and dancing had worked them up. He scanned the decks, looking for either Fathis or Aelyn, but found neither. Fathis had been through quite a bit and likely needed some decent rest. He hoped his brother would find it. Aelyn was likely in his cabin.

He found her sitting at his desk, sipping the rum he’d kept in the side cabinet for special occasions. She was reading a small, plain-looking book that he instantly recognized as his old journal. Val crossed the room. She looked up in mild surprise as he pulled the glass of rum from her hands and finished it in one swallow. 

“I don’t mind if you read it, but you could’ve asked first.” Val picked up the bottle of rum and stoppered it. 

“Hey!” Aelyn sat up, watching in dismay as he returned the bottle to the cabinet. She slumped down in a huff. “I wasn’t sure how long you were going to be occupied.” 

“Well, I had to make sure you got into bed properly. Since you seemed confused about where it was last night.” he teased, reminding her of how he’d found her sleeping under his desk that morning. She ignored the comment. 

“I had no idea you were such an artist…” Aelyn turned the page in his journal. “Have you always kept a journal?”

“Not for years. I keep it as a reminder.” Val leaned against the desk beside where she sat. Her face screwed up in confusion. 

“A reminder of what?” She looked up at him, her brows drawn together. He leaned over her, flipping the page to reveal a sketch of a ship wrapped in the grip of a large mass of eyes and tentacles.

“The price of knowledge.” He pulled the journal from her hands and set it to the side. “We should talk.” Aelyn crossed her arms over her chest as she gazed up at him. “Do you remember when we were attacked on the road to Solitude?”

“Tarek had sent the Morag Tong after you.” Aelyn nodded, wondering what he was getting at. He looked… Upset.

“I remember seeing that blade cut into you, and then the poison almost-”

“It didn’t, though. You got me to the Temple in time.” She didn’t like the look in his eyes. 

“I was so happy that you were okay. We’ve had a few happy times since then as well.”

“What are you getting at?”

“Happy moments don’t change the kind of trouble I bring. You don’t deserve that. When you rescued me from the island, I got a second chance that I didn’t deserve. But the first thing I did was drag you into my problems.” He looked away; he knew this was going to hurt. They’d grown attached enough so that it scared him. He needed to cut it off before he really hurt her, and while he still could. “You don’t want to get involved with me.”

“Are you kidding me?” Aelyn stood up so quickly that the chair fell over, “We’ve come this far together, and you think you can just ditch and run?”

“No, that’s not what I mean-”

“I think I can handle you and your ‘trouble’. It’s not like I don’t have my own issues.” She was about to poke him in the chest for good measure when he grabbed her hand. That ferocity in her eyes was drawing him in. 

Who was he even kidding? It was far too late to warn her off. He was long past the point of being able to let her go without a fight. What had Fathis accused him of? Being smitten? Damn it. 

“I’m not sure I could stay away even if I wanted to…” He risked pulling her a little closer, guiding her hand over his shoulder before sliding his grip down her body to her waist. Her expression melted into something softer. 

“So don’t.” Her whisper filled the entire cabin and rang in his ears as if she had shouted it. His grip on her waist flexed, pressing her flush against him. He couldn’t look away, trapped in those blue eyes of hers. 

“Kiss me.” He couldn’t go another moment without the feel of her lips on his. Aelyn eagerly obliged.

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

She’d tried so hard to keep him at a distance, but there was no resisting it in the end. All the years she’d spent alone came crashing down on her. She crumbled under the weight of them, trembling in his arms. 

It was easier to ignore the gnawing emptiness when she was by herself, but with Val right there, fanning the flames, she was consumed. His kiss was searing, igniting an inferno of want that she had no hope of denying, should she even want to. A frantic sort of desperation to touch him, to taste him, to feel him took over her. Aelyn found herself tugging at his lips with her teeth, urging him to open up to her. He groaned as her tongue slid against his, tasting him. Her hands were undoing the ties on his shirt before she even realized it, desperate to feel him, to touch skin to skin. The garmet fell from his shoulders as she ran her hands up his chest, into his hair, the soft locks sliding through her fingertips.

With a surprised yelp, she found herself on her back, laid out on his desk. She had her legs wrapped around his waist, his shirt hanging loosely, still tucked into his trousers as he leaned over her. He paused, both of them attempting to settle their breathing. 

“We shouldn’t do this here,” Val murmured. What the fuck was he saying? He couldn’t believe the words that had just escaped his mouth. He’d been thinking about having her since that first night in Solitude. Now here she was, willing and ready, on the desk in his cabin, and he was trying to talk her out of it? 

“Why not?” Aelyn breathed, pulling him closer and letting her nails drag lightly down his chest. His lips grazed her neck, traveling up to her ear; she squirmed. They were intimately pressed together, and the movement sent a thrill through her, making her gasp. He wanted her, too; she could feel how much he wanted her as she fought the urge to shift against him again. 

“There are no secrets on a ship.” He warned her, pulling back to look into her eyes. “They’ll hear everything.” He nodded to the door. He’d be surprised if there weren’t one or two listening in at that very moment.

“I can be quiet.” Aelyn bit her lip, her desire winning out this time, purposefully shifting against him. He gasped before nipping at her ear; her fingers dug into his shoulders where her hands rested, and she tried to bite back a moan. 

“Liar.” He growled into her ear; his mouth was working her into a frenzy. 

“Then gag me.” Her words surprised even her and had an immediate effect on Val. There was no hiding how the mention heated his blood; she felt him twitch against her.

“Oh, there are few things I can think of to keep that mouth occupied besides that.” He was pulling her top open—she was still wearing his spare shirt—and unlacing her binder slowly.  The images that flashed through her mind were sure to make Sanguine blush: “What if I want them to hear you?” He asked, his eyes traveling the length of her body. “What if I want every single soul on board to know what we’ve done?” Aelyn paused a moment, considering his words.

“Then, by your orders, Captain.” She breathed, barely getting the words out before his mouth was on her again.

Chapter Text

Aelyn gripped the edge of the desk to still her shaking hands. She prayed he didn’t notice. She wanted this so desperately that her whole body shook. Once he had the binder unlaced, he let his hand drift down her torso, between her breasts, over her ribs, teasingly pressing over her hip and down her thigh. He pulled her boot off and then the other in a slow, methodical movement. Val pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it to the floor. 

“You’re shaking.” He tugged one of her hands free and brought it to his lips, nipping her fingertips before pressing a kiss to the inside of her wrist. “Are you nervous? We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”

“That’s not it.” She felt her face flush; he had her so spun up that she was trembling. 

She wanted to look away, hoping she didn’t have to explain it to him, but she was transfixed, entirely under the power of those green eyes. He paused, watching her for a moment before tugging at her bottoms, pulling them down over her thighs, and dropping them to the floor. A fierce tremor shot through her, and she had to press her legs together to ward it off; his fingertips slid along the back of her thighs before he pulled them apart. Aelyn sucked in a breath as he hooked his fingers under the waistband of her small clothes. Her heart hammered away in her chest, beating frantically against her breast. 

What if she was bad at it? What if it hurt? What if- No. She took a steadying breath, feeling the cool air of the cabin wash over her most intimate parts as he pulled her small clothes off. Aelyn held his gaze for a moment before his eyes traveled down her naked form; she was completely exposed to him, shifting restlessly under his scrutiny. It was too much; she threw her arms over her face, attempting to stifle the sensation, but he quickly pinned her arms over her head. 

He pulled her leg over his hip as his hand continued to venture further upwards. His touch brushed over the seam of her sex, and her breath hitched; she shut her eyes. 

“Look at me,” He cooed softly as he repeated the motion, and she couldn’t deny him. Those gold-flecked emeralds focused on her, and she knew she was in over her head. 

“Val, please…” Her chest heaved with every breath. 

His fingers slid between her thighs, tracing up and down the length of her slit. His thumb circled the small bundle of nerves tucked between her folds as he teased her entrance, circling it once, twice, before sliding into her. She gasped, a soft moan escaping her; she couldn’t keep still, shifting against his hand for more contact. He moved his fingers in and out in a torturously slow rhythm. Her back arched, and his mouth descended on hers, capturing the strangled noise that escaped her with his kiss. 

Aelyn was lost, drowning in the sensations he was conjuring. She was burning up under his ministrations. His gaze was a physical caress as he pressed against some spot inside her, and she whimpered into his mouth, straining against his hold on her. She needed to run her fingers through his hair, over his shoulders, down his body, desperate to touch him. She needed to assure herself this was real, that all the weeks she’d spent pining and pushing him away hadn’t actually chased him away. 
Suddenly, he pulled away, and Aelyn almost cried out at the loss. She ran her hands down her body, trying to soothe her frazzled nerves, to calm the overwhelming arousal that had her in its grip, and assuage the loss of his warmth. It was no use. Val slid out of his trousers and briefs in one motion. 

He scooped her up into his arms, carrying her toward the bed in the corner. Val sat on the edge, pulling Aelyn into his lap so that she straddled him. Her eyes widened when she realized what he intended, her knees sinking into the mattress on either side of his lap. Then, he kissed her again, and it became apparent that she was unable to both think and kiss him at the same time. 

He gripped her backside, earning a soft sound of pleasure from her as he pulled her against him. She looped her arms around his neck, resting her forehead against his shoulder as he moved, one long, slow motion between them that had the length of him sliding through her heat, slicking him in her arousal. Aelyn pressed her mouth against his shoulder to keep herself from making too much noise. It felt so good, but it wasn’t quite enough. She needed him to do it again and again – the ache inside her becoming unbearable. She sat up on her knees.

A small prick of anxiety returned. She hesitated. His palm ran up her spine and then back down, gripping her bottom once more.  

“Are you alright?” He rasped as he laid a line of kisses across her collarbone, pausing at her hesitation.

“It’s just been a while and-” She bit the inside of her cheek. 

“I know.” He murmured, kissing her jaw lazily. “That’s why you’re on top. You’re in control.”

Aelyn lowered herself down until she felt the tip of him pressing against her entrance. She wanted this; a deep ache in her core yearned for it, and still, she hesitated at the pressure. 

Val drew her in for a kiss, his lips working a spell, her trepidations melting away as he slid his tongue past her lips. He reached between them, circling her clit, making her whimper; she began to sink down onto him once more. He pressed his forehead to her chest, taking a steadying breath. He flexed his hips, pushing up into her slightly and then withdrawing. She chased him, taking him deeper and deeper. 
He was panting, his eyes shut tight, his grip on her backside tightening. She had him up to the hilt, her fingers gripping his hair; she tilted his face upward, kissing him deeply. He was ruined. 

She was endless. Every single one of his senses was overwhelmed by her. Had it ever been like this before? Val suddenly couldn’t recall. He pushed her hair back from her face, her blue eyes blazed with orange, heavy-lidded, and seeing only him. She rolled her hips down onto him, stealing their breath away, and he felt his heart tear apart, only to be remade again in the next moment. He couldn’t get enough; it was a vicious cycle, agony and ecstasy in equal measure. She pulled away, and he’d die a little, and then she’d push back down, and he was alive in vivid detail. 

This had been a mistake. There was no return from this point for him. He’d never survive without her after this. Each little noise, expression, and hitch of her breath bound him to her. She gasped, her eyes wide and her face flushed; she was close. He turned them, pressing her back against the mattress. He rocked into her, her hips rising to meet his. Her hands slid around him, her thighs gripping him. Aelyn curled around him, clinging to him as if she was drowning and he was her lifeline. 

They moved in concert with one another, chasing their pleasure higher and higher; each moment he pressed into her, she eagerly rose to meet him. The first crest of her climax crashed through her like a wave breaking on the shore. Her back arched; it swept her away, drawing her back out to sea before pushing her under again. He kissed her as he pushed deeply into her; she could feel him shuddering, filling her so completely that she couldn’t even breathe. She tried to stifle the sound that tore from her, her vision going white as she gasped and cried out. 

They stilled, neither moving for a long moment. Val guided her face toward him, his lips sealing hers, like he was trying to tell her something he didn’t have the words for. The way he slanted his mouth across hers, coaxing her to let him kiss her deeply as if somehow they could connect any deeper than they already were. 

He slid out of her and pulled her close, wrapping his arms tightly around her. She snuggled in closer, her eyes closed, her legs tangled with his. Val laid awake for a long time, long after Aelyn had fallen asleep in his arms. He couldn’t bring himself to call it a mistake, but he’d erred disastrously. He felt like he’d just sold her his soul with that act. He’d given it up to her as an offering and knew he’d happily do it again, eagerly and with ardor. What was wrong with him? Then, that word came back to him. Smitten. 

Chapter Text

He hadn’t slept a wink. His mind wouldn’t stop running all night, and as odd as it seemed, he couldn’t stop watching her. Every little shift and sigh held his rapt attention. It was barely light when Val finally tore himself away from her. He slid his arm out from under Aelyn’s sleeping form, pausing at the little frown forming in the corner of her mouth. 

Val found most of their clothes over by his desk. He tugged on his trousers, not bothering with the shirt, before making his way down to the galley. It was a relatively empty trek; only a few souls were up and about, seeing to the overnight duties. It wasn’t time for the watch change just yet, and most of the crew were sleeping off the night prior. He plucked an apple out of a basket near the wash basin, a lucky find; fresh anything was difficult to find on a ship. The cook was likely to incite a riot if anyone was caught in his galley, though rank had its privileges. He bit into the apple, not even realizing he was humming as he set up the percolator for coffee. He had to light the stove to get the water hot, and well, if he had to light the stove, he might as well make himself something to eat. He set some water on to boil for a hot porridge. It didn’t take long, but he’d poured into too much and had more than enough for himself. Rummaging about the cabinets, he found some honey and, of all things, snowberry preserves. Val grinned, adding it to the mix. 

After a few minutes, he was forced to stand back and stare at the tray he’d arranged. It was breakfast for two, with sweet porridge that he knew she liked. He’d even set out two cups of coffee. Val lifted the tray with an internal groan. His only hope was to try and get back up to the cabin with as few of the crew seeing him as possible. 

Aelyn snuggled down into the blanket with a shiver. She curled up in an attempt to stave off the chill with a wince. Her lower back ached, and her legs felt sore as she tried to move them, even her - her eyes snapped open. The night prior came hurtling back to the forefront of her mind. Her brain was suddenly in overdrive, trying to process her situation. And where was Val? 

She’d woken up alone. A bolt of anxiety shot through her; he had warned her that he was good at leaving, but they were on a ship. As far as she knew, they weren’t due to drop anchor near Solitude until that afternoon at best, so where had he gone? 

The cabin door swung open as if on cue and swiftly slammed shut. A shirtless and bewildered-looking Val leaned back against the door, his hair still mussed, and he held a covered metal tray. He stepped into the room, turned to glance at Aelyn, and stopped in his tracks. They stared at each other in confused silence for a moment. 

“I thought you were asleep-” Val began at the same moment Aelyn did.

“Are you alright-” She paused as they spoke over one another. Another moment of awkward silence. 

Aelyn sat up in the bed, the blanket wrapped around her. She felt her cheeks flush, admonishing herself for blushing so easily, but he was staring at her like she was some sort of curiosity. Without breaking eye contact, he set the tray on the desk and moved toward the bed. Aelyn scooted back to make room for him, but he was kneeling on the edge, leaning in, tugging at the blanket. 

“Val-” She attempted to call his attention, but his lips were on hers before she could finish her sentence. 

Her words were lost, swallowed up by his kiss. He had a slow way of capturing her lips that made it feel like she was dissolving. Her body went lax as his mouth stole her senses, moving against hers, teasing her closer. She couldn’t stop the frustrated noise escaping her throat as he gently took her lower lip between his teeth. Aelyn tentatively ran her tongue along his lips, eager to feel the silky softness of the inside of his mouth again. She could feel him smile as he conceded, and she eagerly slid her tongue inside with a soft sigh. Each stroke of his tongue against hers was a sweet drug tugging her toward an irrevocable realization. She wanted him.

His fingertips glided along her jawline, tangling in her hair and cradling the back of her head. She clung to him as if she’d fly away without anchoring herself. He leaned into her, pushing deeper into her mouth, eliciting a small whimper from her. Val gripped her hair, and Aelyn tilted her head back to draw in a desperate breath. He pressed her back against the mattress, hiking her thigh over his hip as he did so. She was burning up, gasping as his lips moved to her throat. 

“Val-” Aelyn attempted again, but his teeth teased the sensitive flesh in the crook of her neck. He rolled his hips against her, and the moan that slipped from her lips sounded positively sinful. “W-wait-” She whispered. His tongue slid along her throat, and she tried not to writhe as he pressed his hips harder against her. “Val… S-stop…Ah-”

He paused. She could feel his breath on her neck, sending shivers of delight to all her tender places. He pulled back to look her in the eyes, waiting for her to continue. 

“Good morning, “ she whispered, and he cracked a grin. He hooked his finger on the edge of the blanket she had drawn up to her neck, slowly drawing it down her body. 

“Good morning,” he murmured, watching as he pulled the blanket down over her chest.

“Where did you go?” She asked with a sharp intake of breath; his hand slid up her exposed torso over her breast. He stopped mid-motion as if suddenly remembering something. He glanced over his shoulder and then back to her. 

“I ah – I made breakfast.” He was conflicted. His blood was running a bit hotter than usual that morning, and yet – there were few tragedies worse than coffee that had gone cold. 

“You made breakfast?” Aelyn clarified. Didn’t the ship have a cook? What was he on about? “You can cook?”

“Yeah. There’s a lot of things you don’t know about me.” He stood up as she pulled the blanket back up over her. Val took the tray from the desk and lifted the lid. He sat down on the edge of the bed, placing the tray between them, and offered her a steaming mug of coffee before bringing the second mug to his lips.

“Such as?” She was still feeling over-warm from his ‘good morning’ kiss. 

“I’ve never made anyone breakfast before. Well, you know. The morning after. I’m not proud, but of all the times I ever- Well... It doesn’t matter. I want to be here. With you.” She felt her ears burning. The sweet porridge was just what she needed. Val flashed her a soft smile. “I’ve got a few things to settle before we head back to Solitude.”

Val stood up and made his way to the wash basin, taking a moment to clean up and fix his hair. He stopped next to the desk. Aelyn watched him tug on his shirt and boots. She tilted her head to the side in question, but he only grinned. 

“Try not to get into too much trouble.” He added before taking his coffee to go and stepping out of the cabin.

Val made his way up to the quarter-deck. A few quick looks from the crew, and he knew that his little trip to the galley hadn’t gone unnoticed. He didn’t care. He had other things on his mind. He spotted Fathis supervising the watch change. He sipped his mug, looking out over the ship. Solitude was already in view, and then-

“That was quite a party. I think it did the crew good to let off a little steam.” Fathis grinned, “Maybe you as well.”

“I’m not sure what you mean.” Val smirked, and Fathis coughed, which incidentally sounded a great deal like ‘bullshit,’ and Val broke out in laughter. 

“So, what’s the plan?” Fathis asked, bringing Val back to the present. 

“I’ve been thinking about that.” He rested his forearms on the rail beside Fathis, staring out at the sea. “ Look, uh, I want you to have the ship.” He glanced back toward the main deck, “The Dark Rose is yours if you’ll take her.”

“What?” Fathis scoffed, “You can’t be serious.” But Val didn’t laugh; he only held his gaze, “No, you are. You wouldn’t joke about this. But… What about you? I can’t even buy out your share properly right now.” Val stood up straight at that point. 

“Who said anything about selling my share?” He folded his arms over his chest, “You’ll need a factor on land. I’ll help you with connections and make some… ‘introductions.’ I’ll come out even or better – so don’t worry about it.”

“Wha- I – In that case, of course, I’ll take her! I’m honored!” He couldn’t believe it. All these years, living in a shadow, and suddenly, the Dark Rose was his to command. He felt seen, somehow, validated, like all that time he’d spent scraping through the lower echelons finally meant something. 

“Just… Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Val smirked, leaning back beside his brother. The sound of the cabin door opening and closing caught Val’s attention, and his gaze wandered to the main deck once more, seeking out a little blue-eyed Breton. 

“I’m glad for you. You look happy, Val.” Fathis smiled, watching Val watch Aelyn. “You deserve to be happy as much as anyone.” Val turned his gaze back to his brother. 

“So do you, Fathis.” Val smiled back at him. 

“I have a pirate ship. I’m feelin’ pretty great right now.” Fathis clapped him on the shoulder, grinning ear to ear. 

Chapter Text

The Dark Rose dropped anchor near Broken Oar Grotto. Being a known pirate ship, it wasn’t safe for her to dock in Solitude. Val and Aelyn had rowed ashore after saying their farewells to Fathis and the crew. Val laughed at her when she set foot on dry land again and couldn’t walk properly, having gotten too used to the shifting of the ship beneath her feet. It had been late in the evening by the time they made their way back to the Museum for the night. 

Aelyn was desperate for a real bath and eager to get on the road to Markarth. They needed to reunite with Remi and return the Skeleton Key. The sooner they were rid of the damn thing, the better, in Aelyn’s opinion. She’d had enough of Daedric influences to last her quite a while. 

The brand on the inside of her arm still burned; it burned all the time, in fact. She had a sneaking suspicion that it had something to do with how out of control her fire had been the last time she’d tried to use it. She was loathe to bring her deal with Hermaeus Mora up to Val again, though he must have seen the mark. There would have been no missing it when he had her hands pinned above her head during… Aelyn blushed furiously. 

She dropped her pack on the floor near her bed and stepped out of her boots, flexing her sore feet. She needed to sort through her things before they set off again, but it could wait. She was eager for a hot soak to soothe her sore muscles. Just as Aelyn was pulling the door open to the ensuite bath when, there was a knock at her door. She paused, looking longingly at the bath before turning and opening the door to her bedroom with a sigh. 

Val. Of course, it was Val. He stood before her with a mischievous look on his face. 

“Hi.” Aelyn prompted when he didn’t say anything. 

“Your room is nicer than mine.” He frowned, stepping around her. Aelyn sighed again, wondering why he had even bothered to knock if he was just going to invite himself in. 

“It’s not.” She crossed her arms over her chest. She really just wanted a bath and to sleep. 

“You have your own bath?!” He walked into the open bathroom, looking almost offended. 

“This room was part of the original structure. The rest were designed with the renovation.” Aelyn explained, leaning in the bathroom door way, watching as he inspected the room. “Was there something you needed? I was about to take a bath.”

“Would you like company?” He grinned, facing her. 

“I-what?” She blinked at him for a moment before the realization of what he was implying sank in. His smirk grew as she flushed. 

“All this space just for you? Seems like a waste to not share.” He gestured at the tiled bathing area, sunk into the floor, large enough for five people to fit in comfortably. 

It was her own private spa room, with fresh water constantly cycling through and a built-in bench that ran about the inside of the tub. Aelyn swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry. She stared, transfixed, as he approached her. Val moved past her as she leaned against the bathroom doorframe and walked out into her bedroom, closing the door to her room with a soft click before returning to her. 

Her heart was in her throat, and she couldn’t seem to swallow properly. The look in his eyes was making her forget how to breathe. Aelyn gripped the doorframe, her knees suddenly feeling weak. He stopped right in front of her, that playful gleam still in his eyes. Val leaned in, catching her lips in a slow, purposeful kiss. She let her eyes flutter closed, tilting her head, seeking more, opening her mouth for him as he sought out her taste. He pulled back slowly, his roguish smirk drawing her in. 

“Take your clothes off.” His gaze was heated, putting her in a state of almost hypnosis.

“I’m dirty-” She breathed and winced immediately at what she’d said. Val laughed. 

“Oh, I know.” He grinned, amused.

“No, I mean – I need to clean up before we…” Aelyn trailed off, blushing furiously. 

“Before we what?” He couldn’t help but tease her a little. “I thought we were taking a bath?” Aelyn covered her face, embarrassed beyond words. “Did you plan on getting in fully dressed?”

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

“Val.” Aelyn stepped into the bathroom, turning away from him, her ears burning. 

Val laughed again, pulling his shirt over his head and stripping down. Aelyn was attempting to collect herself when he came up behind her, wrapped his arms around her, and pressed his lips to her shoulder. He slid his hand up under the hem of her shirt, pulling the laces of her binder free. She gasped as he kneaded her breast, leaning into his grip. He began tugging at the ties of her trousers, teasing the sensitive peak of her breast with his fingertips as he reached between her legs with his other hand. Aelyn let loose a shaky breath when she felt him pulse against her backside. 

“Take your clothes off.” He repeated, his voice low in her ear. His touch withdrew, and he moved past her, stepping down into the steaming water, gloriously nude. He sat at the far end, his arms propped on the edge of the tub, eyes fixed on her. He wanted to watch. 

Aelyn bit her lips. He had to know what he was asking of her. She shifted on her feet, feeling his intense stare. She envied his confidence; his request was a bit outside her comfort zone, but… She wanted to give him this. 

She reached under her shirt and pulled her binder off, letting it drop to the floor. Then, she pushed her trousers down over her hips, her hands gliding along her thighs, down to her knees, and all the way to the floor. Aelyn stepped out of the garment. She paused a moment, gripping the hem of her shirt.

She struggled with feeling ‘seen,’ and stripping down while he watched her so intensely was both thrilling and terrifying. A muscle ticked in his jaw as she inched the hem of her top higher, the fabric pulling taught, brushing across her oversensitive skin as she pulled the shirt over her head. She let it fall to the ground. Aelyn crossed her arms over her breasts, feeling overly exposed. 

Val said nothing when she hesitated, though she was burning up under the weight of his gaze. The way he watched her made her center ache. Aelyn shifted on her feet again, pressing her thighs together. She was nervous, afraid that in some capacity, or in every capacity, she wasn’t enough. But he didn’t look away while he patiently waited for her. Mustering her courage, Aelyn hooked her thumbs on the top of her small clothes. She couldn’t cover her breasts and take off her clothes very easily at the same time. Aelyn paused, hearing Val clear his throat. He shifted, gripping the edge of the bath tightly. She slid her small clothes down her thighs, letting them drop to the floor. 

She stepped into the water, moving slowly toward where he sat with his jaw clenched. When she got close to him, he held out his hand for her. She took it and let him pull her close. Without a word, Val guided her hands to his shoulders as she stood before him.

“What are you-” Aelyn began to ask but stopped short when he began to kiss her stomach. His lips lingered, pressing hot kisses over her hip, lower and lower. A fluttering in her lower belly began to spiral out of control. 

 His hands slid up her legs, lifting one, propping her foot up on the bench beside him. She let out a shuddering breath as his thumb probed her, parting her, rubbing slow circles. He pressed his mouth to her and her breath caught, his tongue taking the same path his thumb had a moment earlier. 

“OH-” Aelyn gasped, “Oh, Gods…”

She nearly fell forward, gripping his shoulders for support. His tongue probed her entrance, then made its way around her clit again, and she nearly crumpled. She had to reach for the edge of the tub, unable to stay upright. A little cry of euphoria rang out of her. She shut her eyes but it only made the sensation more intense. His tongue circled the sensitive little bud between her folds again and again. Her legs shook when he sucked on it, grazing it with his teeth. He was devastating her with his mouth. She felt his fingers teasing at her entrance and knew instantly her knees were going to buckle the second he put them in. Aelyn tried in vain to keep her hips still, whimpering as she ground wantonly against his face.

“Val-Val-” She tried to warn him, but it sounded more like a mantra of his name than an attempt to get his attention. 

He pressed his fingers into her, and she fell forward, catching herself with both hands on the edge of the tub with a yelp. The combination of his hands and his mouth was making her head spin; her body felt too hot, too sensitive, too stimulated. She couldn’t get in enough air; her breath was coming in short little pants as he worked closer to an inevitable conclusion. Aelyn felt herself racing toward a precipice, about to fall into an unnamed abyss of absolute ecstasy. She gripped the edge of the tub harder, her knees failing her as she started to crumble. A soft, winding moan fell from her lips. 

“Val…” She tried to speak again, but her words were stolen by a gasp as he hooked his fingers forward. 

She didn’t want him to stop, didn’t want it to end, as wave after wave of pleasure drove her over the edge. She broke apart in his mouth, her body convulsing sharply, bent over his face, trembling as she lost herself completely. 

He slid out from beneath her, wiping his mouth as she lay forward, flat against the tiles, bent over the edge of the bath. They felt cool in contrast to her overheated body. Aelyn breathed heavily, her eyes closed. She felt his hand slide up along her spine. She couldn’t seem to come down; pleasure coursed through every fiber of her being.

“Aelyn.” He called her name softly. 

She didn’t respond immediately. After a moment, she tried to stand up in response, only to feel his palm between her shoulder blades, pressing her back down. His touch wandered to her backside, gripping her, running his hands over her. She moaned, feeling the hard length of him pressing between her thighs as she pushed back against him. Her eyes fell shut as he pressed into her, touching that same spot he had a moment earlier when he’d hooked his fingers. Val gripped her hip, holding her steady as he flexed inside her, moving slowly, deeply, into her core. 

“Gods-” She whispered, his movements a slow, languid torture. “Please-” The word slipped out before she even knew what she was asking for. 

“Tell me.” He gritted out, his control starting to crumble. 

“Faster.” She was desperate for whatever he was doing to her, driving her higher as she moaned again and again. 

Val needed no further encouragement, obliging almost immediately. She gripped the tile as best she could to keep from being driven forward by the force of his movements. She was being wound tighter and tighter, each moment a new high, as she cried out. He was setting at a feverish pace; the sloshing of the water and the sound of their bodies connecting filled the room, overlaid with her voice – a symphony of lust. 

She could feel herself start to overheat again. Her center was clenching around him intensely. He groaned, losing control of his breath, their rhythm - a maddening tempo. He suddenly pulled out of her, wrapping an arm around her waist and flipping her over so that she lay on her back. 

Her legs fell open for him, and he smirked. Val tugged her toward him by her hips, sinking into her again. A soft moan from his lips as he relished the feel of her silky, soft, wet, constricting core… And worse yet, he was being done in by that pleading face of hers. He leaned down, kissing her. She opened her mouth, whimpering as he pressed his tongue against hers and held her to him, building back up to the same rhythm they’d had a moment before. Aelyn felt like she was losing her mind; she couldn’t remember existing outside this moment. All there was in her universe was that moment with him, and her, and this new high they were flying toward. Her hips rolled, her whole body undulating against him. He twitched, pulsing, as her mouth turned into a perfect ‘o’ against his. Her eyes rolled back, and she cried out, fluttering all around him and seizing as he emptied into her. She wrapped her legs around him, desperately trying to stifle her cry of pleasure with her hand over her mouth as he pressed his face into her shoulder with a guttural groan. 

Her legs felt boneless, and she wasn’t sure she could walk, let alone finish her bath. Val pulled out of her and slid her into the water. Aelyn stumbled attempting to stand, having to cling to him to stay upright. Val made quick work of rinsing them both off. He made sure she was steady on her feet before he stepped out of the water, finding a towel to dry off with. He held out his hand for her once again, helping her out of the bath, her legs trembling as she tried to walk. He wrapped her up in the towel before kissing her deeply again.

Aelyn leaned into him, her stance unsteady. Val dried her quickly, then tossed the towel to the floor and pulled her in for another kiss. His lips dragged down the column of her neck as his hands began to wander. He gripped her bottom and pulled her closer.

“Val-” She breathed, “What are you doing?”

“We don’t have to worry about everyone on the ship hearing us, so I hope you’re prepared. We’re far from done.” He murmured against her throat before walking her backward out of the bath and toward the bed. A thrill shot through her, and suddenly, she felt concerned whether she was going to make it through the night or not. She didn’t know if she’d be able to keep up, but she absolutely wanted to find out. 

Chapter Text

Aelyn lay awake, tracing a tattoo on Val’s arm. She couldn’t recall a time when she had slept so soundly. They’d had each other so many times during the night she wasn’t sure when she had even fallen asleep, let alone for her to have awoken feeling so rested. She’d be sleeping still if it wasn’t for the burning brand on her arm. It looked just like Val’s tattoo on his forearm. She’d received hers after making her deal with Hermaeus Mora, but Val’s looked more like a tattoo than hers did. Hers was angry and charred black, not inked. She’d gotten somewhat used to the constant burning sensation, however. 

“Something on your mind?” Val asked, his eyes still closed. 

“Does it hurt?” Her finger was still tracing the outline. 

“Hmm? No. Why?” He turned his head to the side to look at her. “Does yours?” 

“Yeah.” Aelyn turned onto her back. 

“You never did tell me what happened.” Val moved to his side, facing her. She turned away from him. He pulled her back flush against him, his words low in her ear, “Tell me.”

Aelyn sighed, trying to figure out how to put into words what had happened. How did she explain?

“When you went through the book, Mora trapped me. He wouldn’t let me leave unless I accepted a gift from him. He didn’t explain what the gift was.” She wound the sheets in her fingers. 

“But why didn’t you negotiate?” Val laced his fingers through hers, rubbing slow circles into her palm with his thumb. 

“There was a monster.” She whispered, shutting her eyes tightly.

“A monster? Like a Lurker or something?” His circles on her palm paused. 

“Something… older. I didn’t have time to negotiate; I had to get away.” She tried to fight the chill creeping up her spine but shivered despite herself. 

“It just doesn’t seem to add up. Why would Mora conjure up a monster to attack you? Why stop you from leaving at all?” Val propped himself up on his elbow, trying to puzzle out why Hermaeus Mora was interested in Aelyn in the first place. 

His mind wandered back to the black book in Aelyn’s room in Markarth. She’d never said anything about it to him, even when they entered Apocrypha. She had seemed a bit spooked; at the time, he’d thought it was because of his memories, but… No. It had been deeper than that, hadn’t it? She didn’t answer him. Aelyn shut her eyes tightly.

“You aren’t telling me the whole truth, are you?” Val asked, all of his usual mirth gone from his expression. Aelyn rolled out of bed, heading toward her dresser. 

“We should get ready to leave.” She said after a moment. Val’s jaw clenched before he blew out an exasperated breath, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. 

“Why?” He watched as she pulled on her clothes, moving toward her vanity to brush out the tangles in her hair. “Aelyn.”

“It doesn’t matter. Just let it go.” She muttered, ripping the brush through her hair. 

“What, you can know all my secrets, but yours are off the table?” He stood up, searching around for his clothes and recalling they were in the bathroom. He returned partially dressed to Aelyn standing with her arms crossed over her chest. 

“Would you have ever told me about your deal with Hermaeus Mora; about what we saw in that book, if it weren’t for Fathis?” She asked pointedly, and he paused. 

“Eventually…” He said slowly. Aelyn rolled her eyes and moved past him to grab her pack. “Hey! It’s not like it was something easy for me to just talk about.”

“You don’t say.” She muttered, dumping her bag onto her bed. 

“Needing to find my dead brother kind of forced my hand.” He stood next to her, watching her sort through her things. 

“Well, I don’t have one of those.”

“No, but you are getting forced into deals with Daedric Princes. I feel like that qualifies.” He ran his hand through his hair in frustration. 

“You have strange stipulations on your basis for ‘need to know’ information.” She quipped, shoving items back into her pack.

“You knew who I was; you don’t get to judge me for it now.” 

“I’m not judging you, Val.” Aelyn whipped around to face him. “I’m saying you’re being unfair. Look at what it took – how difficult that was for you. You don’t know what you’re asking.”

“I want to know. I want to know what has you so spooked. Let me help. Like you helped me.” He reached for her, and she stepped back with a scoff. 

“Help me? You think you can help me?” She had to bite her lip to keep it from trembling. “No one can help me.” 

“What exactly is that supposed to mean?” His brow furrowed; he’d been patient, and now she was being obstinate. “What does Hermaeus Mora want with you?”

“Val.” She had to look away. Why wasn’t he leaving? He should have stormed off by then. 

“This has to do with that Black Book you’ve hidden in your room in Markarth.” He accused, and she blanched at the mention of it. “And what was his name? Your Dunmer friend, Teldryn? When he came to Markarth to talk to you, – you mentioned the book.”

“Stop it.” Aelyn shook her head slowly, her vision blurring, her face feeling hot. “You don’t know-”

“Then tell me!” He hadn’t meant to raise his voice, and he instantly regretted it. She stood there shaking, tears rolling down her cheeks. “Shit, I’m sorry, I-”

“I’m scared you’re going to get hurt!” She finally admitted. She looked so broken by the thought that something would happen to him that it made his chest feel tight. He pulled her to him before he’d even realized he had reached for her, folding her into his arms. 

“Don’t you think it’s a little late for that?” He ran his fingers soothingly through her hair. “Have a little faith in me.” She tried to wipe her tears, but they kept falling too quickly for her to keep up with. 

“I don’t want you to die.” She managed to choke out. 

“I’m not so easy to kill. I’m not going anywhere.” He kissed the top of her head before tilting her face upwards and letting his lips graze across hers. 

She couldn’t resist leaning into him. Something electric sparked between them whenever he was close. It had always been that way, like the very air around them was charged with a certain energy. Aelyn opened her mouth to him with a soft sigh. 

He was tender and thorough as his tongue curled around hers. She rose to her tiptoes, seeking more. She slanted her mouth against his, reaching further as if something there, something she needed, lay just beyond her reach. He cradled the back of her head, sinking into her kiss with a lazy abandon. 

Her heart thrummed in her chest, a certain heat building within her. She ran her hands up his bare chest, then down over his abdomen. Val paused, pulling back just enough to whisper against her mouth. 

“If you’re going to kiss me like this, I’m not sure why you bothered putting your clothes on.” He smirked, turning them toward the bed. 

“We’re going to miss the carriage-” Aelyn protested weakly as she wrapped her arms around him, eager for another kiss. 

“There’s an afternoon one as well.” He laid her back, tugging her trousers off. He couldn’t get enough of her; some unnamed force kept drawing him in. A need to be near, to hear her cries of pleasure and then her sighs of relief. Maybe he didn’t have the words to prove to her that he wasn’t going anywhere, but he could show her. 

“You’re optimistic. What about Remi? She’s expecting us tonight.” Aelyn lifted her hips, shimmying out of her bottoms to assist him in stripping her, then pulled her shirt over her head. 

 “We can send word ahead that we’ve been delayed.” Val began kissing a line down her body. 

“Well, I suppose it can’t be helped, then.” Aelyn let out a soft gasp as he nipped at her hip, and she fell under his spell once more. 

Chapter Text

She didn’t want to admit it, but she found a certain solace in their connection. His touch had soothed her fear, his lips assured her, and Gods, his body had banished thoughts of anything else. 

 He had gone torturously slow. Aelyn blushed, recalling how he’d taken his time with every inch of her. But that was how he’d reassured her; he wasn’t going anywhere. He was right there with her, and he wasn’t leaving any time soon. 

Val seemed satisfied for the moment with her admission that she had been afraid for him. He had her motivation, even if it didn’t entirely make sense to him. It wouldn’t last, though; Aelyn knew better. He wouldn’t be so easily appeased the next time it came up. 

What truly concerned her was that he knew about the book. She’d have to hide it when they returned to Markarth. Aelyn wasn’t sure when he’d found it, but she was sure that she couldn’t let him do so again. Gods, what if he had opened it? She banished the thought from her mind as they attempted to make quick work of a few errands before leaving the city.

They headed to Radiant Raiment to pick up Val’s custom order while Aelyn sent word ahead to Remi that they had been… Delayed. After snagging a sweet roll or two from the baker’s stall, she wandered over to Bits and Pieces while Val dealt with the surly Altmer. She’d found herself running her fingers over a leather journal tucked away on one of the shelves inside, a tall ship embossed on the cover. Aelyn couldn’t help but recall the drawings she’d seen in Val’s old journal. If he’d never been a pirate, she wondered if he might have been an artist in another life. Before she could think about it too much, she had bought the journal, tucking it away in her pack. 

They had to jog to catch the carriage, running up just as it was about to pull away. It had been just the two of them as passengers. There were some bags of letters and packages for the couriers and some goods in stacked crates loaded in the back with them. Once again, Aelyn found herself nodding off; something about carriage rides seemed to always put her to sleep. She’d spent the ride in a state of partial awareness, not fully asleep but not truly awake. Val, thankfully, was quiet for the majority of the trip. While this should have indicated that he was up to something, Aelyn chose to ignore the warning bell in the back of her mind in favor of a less-than-satisfying nap.

It was evening when the carriage halted, rousing her from her half-sleep state. They had a stopover in Rorikstead for the night before picking up again at first light. Aelyn glanced up at Val’s back as they made their way from the carriage toward the inn. They entered the Frost Fruit Inn, and a wave of fatigue washed over her. The day had left her feeling exhausted, and she was more than ready to skip dinner and fall face-first into bed. 

“Alright, dinner and a room for the night. Why don’t we have a drink in the meantime?” Val sat his pack down while their room was made up, taking a seat at the bar. 

Aelyn lingered for a moment before sliding onto the barstool beside him. Mralki, the Innkeeper, poured them both an ale before resuming his task of preparing dinner for the evening. Aelyn peered into the cup and then glanced about the mostly empty inn. 

“Something on your mind?” Val took a healthy drag from his mug. 

“No. It’s just… quiet.” It felt strange to her; they’d been dealing with one thing or another for so long that a quiet evening in an empty inn seemed… Odd. 

“I know what you mean. I’m expecting the door to burst open and people to be screaming at any minute.” Val grinned as if it were a happy thought. 

“Well, we’ve dealt with your father, saved your brother, snubbed two Daedric princes… You don’t have a jilted lover out there somewhere who’s going to come kill us next?” She kept glancing over her shoulder as Val bit out a laugh. 

“No, no, well… Hard to say; there’s probably a lot of people who want to kill me, ex-lovers or otherwise.” Val smiled fully. “In any case, there wasn’t anyone I missed.” Aelyn stared at him for a moment; she felt her stomach clench. It must have shown on her face because he quickly followed up. “Ah, that came out wrong. Look, I was never in one place for very long, and -”

“You don’t have to explain yourself to me.” Aelyn turned her gaze back to her drink. 

“Hey, it’s not like that-” He began to explain, but a timely interruption from Mralki cut him off. 

“Two stews, with a side of crisped root vegetables. Let me know if there’s anything else I can get you.” He set the two dishes down before them, standing by for their first bite. Val glanced up at him as Aelyn smiled and had the first taste. 

“Oh! Delicious!” She nodded approvingly, and Mralki beamed, turning his gaze to Val, who clearly wasn’t going to get to finish his thought. 

“It’s a family recipe. Well. It was my wife’s, rest her soul. My son’s favorite dish as well,” The Innkeeper stood behind the bar, waiting for Val’s first impressions of the food. 

“I’m sure she was a wonderful cook,” Aelyn said, her words seeming to affect the man deeply. He let out a heavy sigh. 

“Ah, that she was. Gone twenty summers now. My poor boy never knew her. She used to say that ‘Happiness is Homemade’, and it’s true.” Mralki placed his hand over his heart, “In every recipe she left behind, I find a little bit of the happiness she brought to my life. I can only hope I’ve also given some of it to our son as well.” 

Mralki continued to regale them with stories about his wife and his son throughout their meal. By the time they had finished eating, Aelyn and Val had learned all about Mralki, how he met his wife, Njadia, and how his son Erik wanted to be an adventurer. By the end, Val was faking a yawn, excusing himself to their room for the evening. Aelyn shot him a sidelong glance for abandoning her to the Innkeeper. He winked with not even a sliver of shame as he made his way across the tavern. 

It took a quarter of an hour for Aelyn to extract herself. She pulled open the door to their room, shutting it swiftly, albeit softly, behind her with a huff. The reprimand she had prepared for Val ditching her died on her lips. She had walked into the room with little warning to find Val half undressed, looking at her with a raised eyebrow, standing before a single bed. 

“W-what are you doing?” She stammered, her train of thought crashing loudly between her ears.

“Getting ready for bed, what are you doing? Besides staring.” He smirked. Aelyn opened and closed her mouth a few times. 

“Well, I… There’s only one bed.” She shut her eyes tightly as soon as the words came out. Any idiot with eyes could see there was only one bed. One small, single bed. 

“Is that a problem?” He asked, trying not to laugh as she peeked at him.

“N-no. I ah, I just-” Aelyn’s words stuck in her throat as she attempted to speak. 

Val started to walk toward her, each rope of muscle shifting with a captivating and easy grace that permeated his every move. She hadn’t realized she was backing up until she connected with the door behind her. Why was she like this? She shouldn’t be flustered. She’d seen him many times now, and it seemed to only get worse. Aelyn blushed furiously, attempting to hide her face with her hands. He started to pull her hands away from her face. 

“Why would I have gotten two? We both know we’d end up in the same bed before the night was done anyway?” His voice had gone soft and low. 

“I just – ah!” She made a helpless little noise when he nipped the very tip of her ear, “The bed is a bit small.” Val smirked and stepped back; her face was practically glowing. Perhaps he enjoyed teasing her a bit too much. 

“We can cuddle.” He turned back to the bed as she moved toward the small table in the corner. 

“I actually wanted to offer you a little dessert.” Aelyn’s head cleared a little as he moved away from her. Her face still felt hot, but it was cooling. 

“I bet you did.” He smirked as she reached into her pack. 

Aelyn paused after searching around in her pack for a moment. Then she recalled that Val had been oh so quiet on the carriage ride. 

“Val.” Aelyn gave him a suspicious look, “Did you steal my sweet roll?” He paused, returning her gaze as a slow, mischievous smirk crawled across his face.

“I’m going to need you to be a little more specific. Are we talking about the baked good or something else?” Aelyn frowned as his grin grew. Oh, he was absolutely guilty; he only grinned like that when he’d done something wrong. “Either way, the answer is ‘yes’.”

“Val! I was saving that!” Aelyn groaned, pulling out the empty bit of wax paper that she had wrapped them up in. 

“Which one?” His eyes sparkled with amusement, and Aelyn let out a low, suffering sigh. 

“I was going to share it with you.” She muttered, feeling deflated. 

“Are you… Are you pouting?” He couldn’t help trying to get a closer look. It might have been the most entertaining thing he’d seen her do.  

“So what.” Aelyn turned away from him. 

“Darling, if you’re trying to deter me from doing it again, I’m going to be honest with you. It’s having the opposite effect.”

“I’m not pouting!” Aelyn lifted her chin defiantly, and Val smiled fully, “And if I were, it would be because of you, not for you.”

“Aw, now I feel bad.” He couldn’t stop grinning.

“Liar.” She was about to plop down in the little chair beside the table, but just as she had let gravity take over, he hooked his arm around her waist, pulling her up against him. 

“True but… Let me make it up to you.” He whispered against her ear. “I felt a little bad that you wanted to share it with me, at least.” She knew better than to ask, and yet…

“What did you have in mind?” Her voice was breathy, baited with anticipation as his hand slid suggestively over her hip. 

Val stepped back from her, slowly undoing the laces of his trousers, he pushed them down over his hips. Aelyn tried not to stare. What was wrong with her? It was almost madness, as if some force was driving her toward him at every moment. He wasn’t her first, but she didn’t recall ever having a reaction to someone like this. The intense attraction she felt for him nearly stunned her.

Val reclined on the bed in his briefs, his cheeky grin taunting her. Aelyn looked away. She felt a little envious of how comfortable he was in his own skin. How confident he was with his own body. She supposed it wasn’t difficult when it looked like that. Aelyn bit the inside of her cheek. He wanted to be a cheeky git? Fine. Two could play at that. 

Chapter Text

Val reclined on the bed, his cheeky grin taunting her. Aelyn looked away. She felt a little envious of how comfortable he was in his own skin. How confident he was with his own body. She supposed it wasn’t difficult when it looked like that. Aelyn bit the inside of her cheek. He wanted to be a cheeky git? Fine. Two could play at that. 

“You don’t have to look away.” He purred. “Feel free to look or touch all you like.” 

Aelyn locked eyes with him once more, bristling at his little taunt. She moved slowly toward the bed.

“I can touch?” She asked softly.

“As much as you like.” He grinned, liking where this was headed. 

“Is there anything I shouldn’t do?” Aelyn could feel her ears burning. Her curiosity was winning out against her self-consciousness. 

“Somehow, I’m not worried that you’re going to cross the line. I like to try a bit of everything.” He coaxed. 

“You won’t stop me?” She held his gaze as Val shook his head eagerly. She’d had a few experiences before Val, but they were mostly rushed moments of passion. If it could be called passion. She had been trying to fill the gaping loneliness inside, and when it hadn’t worked, she hadn’t tried again. She hadn’t bothered to touch or explore, hadn’t cared to. Her relationships were few and far between, only one really worth mentioning at all. Aelyn pushed the thoughts from her head; best not to ruminate on the past in the moment.

“I’ll tell you,” Val assured her.

“Put your hands behind your head.” She said softly, climbing onto the bed.

He lazily laced his fingers together behind his head, watching her watch him. He bent his knees, propping his legs up in a position where everything was on display. She started to tug at his briefs, slowly pulling them down, flinching a little in surprise when he sprang free from them. He lifted his hips to assist her in removing the undergarment. 

She’d seen his tattoos before, but some had gone unnoticed, the sea turtle on his ankle, the panther on his hip. Aelyn found herself counting the sparrows travelling up his arm, noting the black rose that blazed on the inside of it. She wanted to map them all out; each tattoo and every scar. 

Her gaze wandered down his body, over the expanse of his chest, memorizing every bunch and valley, every dip and curve. She was intent on taking her time and looking her fill. The muscles in his legs tensed under her scrutiny as his member twitched. She licked her lips. He was struggling to stay still. He liked having her attention. 

“Aelyn…” He rasped; he was trying to play nice, but she was already testing his patience. She lifted a brow at him. “Touch me.”

“Is that what you want?” Her voice was soft, almost sweet, and it took Val a moment to realize what she was playing at. 

“Do you want me to beg?” He was losing control of his breath under her heated gaze. 

“Would you?” She traced along bed covers before meeting his eyes. He seemed to hold out for a moment, debating, knowing ultimately that he’d lie, cheat, and steal to get what he wanted. But for her, he might even tell the truth for even a moment of her hands on him. 

“Please.” His breath caught at the slow smirk that crawled across her lips. He was aching for her to touch him, and that soft, curious gaze roving over his body had him all keyed up. 

Aelyn stood up and pulled her shirt over her head slowly, before sliding her trousers off. She climbed onto the bed, sitting on her heels between his legs as she unlaced her binder. She’d never seen him in such distress. All her insecurities were forgotten as she watched him bite his lips while she pulled her binder off. 

She started at his ankle, tracing up his leg. Her feather-light touch continued up his thigh, and his already tense muscles twitched. Aelyn paused at a long scar that ran almost the entire length of his inner thigh. 

“What’s this?” She asked, tracing it with her fingertip. 

“Ah,” Val had to blink a few times in order to focus, “From a skirmish a few years ago.” She held his gaze for a moment. She knew enough that a wound there was likely to kill someone. People tended to bleed out quickly, and it was difficult to stop. Ever so slowly, she folded forward and pressed her lips against it. He sucked in a shuddering breath as she kissed his scar, fighting the nearly irresistible urge to grab her by the hair and make her shake with desire the way he was shaking. But he wanted to endure her divine torment, knowing it would be worthwhile in the end.

She ran her fingertips up to the junction of his thigh and his hip, and he let out a gasp. Her eyes traveled up his torso, her hands following. Her touch was a little firmer, sliding up his waist, down his arms, over his chest, tracing lightly again down his body. Her eyes met his briefly before her attention returned to where she was lazily exploring his anatomy, shifting lower between his legs. Aelyn’s touch grazed his sack and then slowly up his shaft. Val blew out a breath, squeezing his eyes shut briefly as she teased the tip of his member with a featherlight caress. They flew open in the next moment when he felt her lips on the inside of his thigh again, much higher this time. Just a few inches to the left, and he’d be in heaven.

“Gods…” He groaned, trying to stay still. It was torture, but he didn’t want it to end. He was sure she didn’t have any experience with this sort of thing; it was obvious in the curious way she explored him. Her gaze was heated but inquisitive, lacking the sharp edge that experience would have, and yet she was putting him through his paces regardless. 

Aelyn hesitated; she’d heard about this before, but she’d never done it. He said he’d let her know if she crossed the line, and he’d told her to touch as much as she liked. Val seemed to be enjoying what she was doing, and Aelyn glanced up to find his attention intensely focused on her, his eyes burning, his jaw clenched. 

“Are you okay?” She hovered, her lips a thought away from him, her breath teasing his length. Val curtly jerked his head in a ‘no.’ “Do you want me to stop?” His nostrils flared, every muscle in his body taut as he shook his head ‘no’ again. He was gripping the headboard, white-knuckled, trying to keep himself together. “Should I… keep going?” Gods, did she know? Was she doing this on purpose?

“I might lose my mind if you don’t.” He gasped, and her eyes widened in understanding. She really hadn’t known the extent of what she was doing to him. Val rolled his head back for a moment. Why did the fact that she didn’t know make it so much worse? Or better? He wasn’t even sure anymore. She might have to tie him if she prolonged it any further; he was fast approaching his limit. The idea did not help.

He didn’t have any time to steel himself before he felt her tongue at the base of his shaft. A tortured noise of pleasure ripped from his chest. She slid her mouth down further, exploring, her hands committing delicious sins along the way as they parted the cheeks of his backside, teasing the space between. Her tongue traced a devastating path from behind his sack all the way up the length of him. The muscles in his thighs trembled violently as she pulled the tip of him into her mouth, tasting him before his length throbbed. She pulled back in surprise, letting him go with a little ‘pop.’

“Haaa, Sweetheart, you’re killing me.” Val couldn’t catch his breath; his hips flexed as he struggled to stay still. 

“You like this?” She asked quietly, dragging her lips up his length again.

“Yes-Ahh,” his words were cut off abruptly as she took him in her mouth, pulling him in deeply. “Fuck,” he cursed as she worked her mouth in tandem with her hands. She tested how hard she could pull him in before he complained. Each draw of her mouth was more intense, and he wasn’t long for it. He needed to warn her, but he could barely breathe; his chest felt overwhelmingly constricted. 

Val let go of the headboard to brush her hair back, trying to get her attention, but her nails scraped the inside of his thighs at the same moment. His hips jerked as he throbbed, and his climax shot through him. He hit the back of her throat, and she gagged at the sudden intrusion; every muscle in his body flexed as he gripped her hair unintentionally, helpless for the first second or so until he could release her. She coughed, his seed spilling down her chin and all over him. Val froze, expecting her to be angry, an apology in his next breath, but instead, she gazed up at him, heavy-lidded, and licked the near-translucent substance on her lips. Her eyes were a familiar sort of glazed over, a look he knew from when she was reveling in pleasure. Something feral ignited within him at the sight. 

He hauled her up to him in the next instant. His spend was still all over her chin; he didn’t care. He needed his lips on hers, kissing her savagely, pulling her tongue into his mouth and scraping his teeth across it. He’d never been so turned on in his life; all it took was for her to moan as he sucked on her tongue, and he was instantly hard again. Val turned them, resting on his heels, leaning over her as he spread her legs.

He didn’t even bother pulling her small clothes off, pushing them to the side. He pulled her thigh up over his hip, teasing her center with his fingers. She was soaked. Val groaned at the thought of her being aroused by touching him. Her hips rose and fell as his fingers worked her, but it wasn’t enough for either of them. The starving look in her eyes reflected the lust that raged inside him. He pressed the tip of his length against her entrance, and she moaned again, her chest rising and falling rapidly as he eased into her. 

Aelyn’s head fell to the side, eyes open and unseeing as she tried to breathe. She wasn’t even sure if she could do anything besides feel him as he kissed her, touched her - moved inside her. The grip Val exerted on her thighs was deliciously punishing as his mouth worked down her neck. She gasped as his teeth worried the soft skin at her throat. Something was happening to her; each time he pushed inside her, she felt strange. A heat that made their previous encounters seem like flickering candle flame began to build. If she had the ability to even be able to consider what was happening, it might have frightened her, but all she could do was beg for more. 

The position he had her in was giving him access to hit deeper than he had before. He sat on his heels with her hips in his lap, driving into her, and it was forcing her mind outside her body. Aelyn had to grip the mattress to keep from sliding up the bed as he moved at a punishing pace; she had no time to adjust, to ease into the intense sensations as they overwhelmed her. Her breath locked first; unable to even draw in air as her orgasm slammed through her so hard that her whole body seized. If it weren’t for the secure grip Val had on her legs, they would have flailed recklessly. Her eyes rolled back and fluttered closed as she arched like a woman possessed, unsure where she ended and he began. She might have heard him curse as he rolled into her, the movement stuttering as he came again. 

Val collapsed on top of her, face-first into the pillow. It took a few seconds for Aelyn to come back to herself, her brain incapable of any coherent thought for a lingering moment. Her throat and jaw ached, and for some reason, that had her smiling. Val muttered a slew of curses in the pillow beside her head. He pushed up over her after a moment. 

“I’m going to need you to do that again.”

Chapter Text

The flat seemed almost abandoned. Letters from couriers had piled up by the door, including the one Aelyn had sent ahead informing Remi of their late arrival. The hearth was cold, and the hallway was dark. Aelyn could hear some tapping noises from within and sighed deeply. 

“Is she even here?” Val asked, looking around astonished. 

“Yeah, she’s in her workshop,” Aelyn muttered as she lit the lamps by the entryway. “And likely hasn’t eaten anything in at least a day. She gets like this. I bet she’s fixed Scrap and got lost in another project.”

They approached the workshop at the end of the hall with caution. The metallic ‘tink-tink-tink’ of Remi’s tools grew louder, and they could clearly hear Scrap moving about. 

“No, Scrap, I can’t stop now; I just need to tighten this and then…” Remi’s voice carried down the hall toward them. “That’s it! I’ve got it! No, no, I don’t…”

“Remi?” Aelyn called down the hallway, and the door to the workshop burst open. 

“Aelyn?! Val? Why are all the lights off?” Remi glanced around, holding something in her hands. “I made… Something.” Remiel flinched as Aelyn lit the nearby lamp. She was holding something shaped like a fork. 

“What is that?” Val asked, peering at the utensil. 

“It’s a tuning fork!” Remi announced proudly. “I was researching tonal architecture and thinking about how we could alter the frequencies to adjust the way automaton respond – well… It doesn’t work. I need to research more on this.”

“Well, I’m not sure where we would find any information on something like that?” Aelyn mused for a moment. “Perhaps the College of Winterhold?” 

“Ugh. Of course, the mages would have something like that.” Remi rolled her eyes. “It’s really unfortunate that the only literate people in Skyrim seem to also like magic.”

“Maybe we could detour on our way back from Riften?” Aelyn proposed. 

“Riften? I thought – Oh. We need to get the eye back from Brynjolf.” Remi concluded. “Well, there’s nothing for it. When are we headed out?”

“Morning? It’s already past midday – We… Had a late start.” Aelyn cleared her throat, fighting the blush creeping up her neck. She could practically feel Val’s smirk. 

“Now that I think about it, it did take you a while to get here.” Remi mused but was almost immediately distracted by her stomach growling loudly. 

“How about we get some lunch going, and then we can plan out our next steps?” Aelyn was already heading to the kitchen to see if there was anything left in the cupboards. 

They were hardly at the Markarth flat these days, and she was sure it wouldn’t be long before they transitioned to Solitude completely. The thought made her a little sad. She glanced around, recalling the time spent within the walls with just her and then later Remiel. 

After rummaging through their food stores, Aelyn found a few apples, some cheese, a stale loaf of bread, and some salted pork. Deciding to stew the pork and apples together, with cheese and toasted bread on the side, she got to work. She eyed the hearth with trepidation. The last time she had used her fire it had gotten out of control. Surely, a small spark would be alright?

She set up the tinder and kindling in the fireplace and went to flick a small ember into the small structure. Aelyn flicked her finger, her brand seared with burning pain, as a fireball shot into the hearth. She flew backward from the force, crashing into the wall. Pots and pans went flying, cups and dishes fell, hitting the counter with a loud ‘crash’ as she instinctively threw her arms over her face to protect herself from the fiery blast. The flames licked at her arms and legs as she curled up to protect herself, singeing the fabric badly. 

“What happened?!” Val was in the doorway within the next second, moving to stamp out the remnants of the fire. Luckily, it hadn’t caught well and had been relatively contained by the fireplace.

“It’s fine, I’m fine.” Aelyn dusted herself off, immediately attempting to right the room and pick up the pots and dishes that had fallen. “Just a little too much power.”

“It didn’t sound fine,” Val said, looking at her concernedly as she rubbed the mark under her sleeve. “Aelyn- that mark you have, it’s doing something to you.”

“It just burns a little. It’s fine.” She tried to keep her voice calm despite her racing heart. Every time she tried to use her fire, the result was ten times stronger than she’d anticipated. 

“I know a thing or two about Mora’s so-called gifts. They aren’t without consequence.” He watched her avoid his gaze for a moment and opened his mouth to press her further on the issue when Remi appeared.

“What was that?” Remi asked, looking concerned. “Normally, I’m the one unexpectedly blowing things up; what happened?”

“Nothing. Everything’s fine.” She grabbed the striking stone off the mantle and began attempting to light the fire without magic. Val turned on his heel and left the room, plainly frustrated with Aelyn; she could feel the tension rolling off of him. She’d deal with him later. Thankfully, Remi didn’t ask any further questions and left her to finish making their lunch. What was Hermaeus Mora’s angle with cranking up her fire power? She rolled up her sleeve to see the brand looked charred and angry. Aelyn pushed the issue from her mind. She didn’t want to think on what that could mean. 

It wasn’t long before the stew was bubbling cheerily over a benign fire. Despite the lack of ingredients, it smelled good. Aelyn sighed happily, proud of her ability to season almost anything to be palatable. She pulled it from the fire and left the kitchen to find Val and Remi to let them know lunch was just ready. The flat was suspiciously quiet. Aelyn felt her hair rise up. Something was off. She quickly found Remi napping in a chair by the fireplace in the living area. Smiling to herself, Aelyn covered her up with a blanket and went in search of Val. 

She opened the door to her room to find Val sitting in the chair beside her desk. She stopped short; he’d been waiting for her. He looked relaxed, his ankle resting on his knee as he sat comfortably in the chair, his hand resting on the cover of a book on the desk next to him as he stared her down. The door fell closed behind her with a soft click, and her stomach dropped. She swallowed hard, her heart racing.

“What are you-” Aelyn began to ask but stopped as Val drummed his fingers on the black cover of the book. The black book. Her brow furrowed. She had tucked the book away in the back of a shelf, away from prying eyes, certain she had hidden it well- not well enough, it seemed. 

“Let’s talk.” He said lowly, his tone letting her know it wasn’t a suggestion. 

“What are you doing with that?” Aelyn asked flatly, miffed that he’d been snooping and uncertain what his intentions were with the book in his hand. 

“Leverage,” Val replied in the same tone. Tension thrummed between them. Aelyn carefully perched on the edge of her bed, facing him. A cold sweat beaded on the back of her neck. She didn’t like this. 

“You went through my things? What do you expect me to do-” Aelyn began before he cut her off. 

“Tell me the truth.” He was speaking softly, but there was a savage edge to his words. “You almost blew yourself up today. Because of a deal you were forced into.”

“Val, I told you-”

“You told me that there was a monster in Apocrypha; you didn’t have time to bargain.” He laid his hand flat on the cover of the black book, “Now you’re nearly setting fire to the kitchen, and I have a sneaking suspicion it has to do with this deal you made. Tell me I’m wrong.” 

“Val, please, I’m fine. It was just a little accident-” She tried to argue, but the lack of expression on his face let her know he wasn’t having it. 

She needed that book out of his hands; it wasn’t safe. Her worst fear was coming true before her eyes, where Val – true to his nature, tried to solve things head-on and ended up dead because of her problems. He had no idea that death was sitting on the desk beside him, hiding behind the cover he rested his hand on. She was fixated on it, fear pulsing through her at the slightest movement of his fingertips. He’d almost died once because of her; she was determined not to let it happen again.

“You lit the kitchen on fire. When we were rescuing Fathis, you lost control as well. You said yourself that mark hurts you. Does it hurt more when you’re using that power?” Val lifted his chin as her focus remained on his hand, resting on the cover.

“Just give me the book…” She said softly, trying to entreat him, willing to do anything to get the thing away from him. 

“Why is Hermaeus Mora trapping you into a deal with him?” Val asked, tapping the cover of the black book again. Aelyn blanched, and Val knew he was finally asking the right question. “Is this why?”

“Val, listen to me. I need you to give me that book. You don’t know what you’re doing.” Her voice shook as she stood up, her sweaty palms turned toward him as she pleaded with him.

“We could just take a look since you’re so keen on not telling me. Can’t be much worse than mine?” His frustration at her non-answers seeped into his voice, turning it to gravel, “Let’s just go ahead and-” Val started to lift the cover, and Aelyn shot across the room, slamming it shut forcefully before he could open it. He looked at her with surprise for a moment before his eyes narrowed. “What’s in there?”

“I’ll tell you everything. Anything. Just… ” She breathed, her stomach clenching with fear. 

“Where did you get it, and what does it have to do with Mora trapping you in Apocrypha?” He gazed up at her from his seat, determined to get to the bottom of things. He couldn’t help her if he didn’t understand the conditions of her deal. 

“I… I stole it.” She whispered, her eyes glued to where his hand gripped the cover. 

“What?” Of all the things he’d expected her to say, that wasn’t one of them. He’d thought it had been a record of a past deal with Mora like his book was, but it didn’t belong to her at all. 

“From the temple. When I ran away, I took it with me. I’m sure both Mora and the owner would like it back.” Aelyn tried to fight the sick feeling roiling within her as she stood up. His hand relaxed tentatively, and she took another step back. He nodded to the bed in an unspoken command, a silent truce, and she sat down obediently. 

“Is that why you were trapped?” Val asked, already trying to work out a plan to get her out of whatever bond had been forced on her. 

“Likely. They’re toying with me, I think. So that I’ll come asking and then-”

“Be at a disadvantage in the actual bargaining.” Val sighed. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“A lot of reasons,” she took a deep breath, settling her inner turmoil somewhat. Val seemed calmer, and so she felt calmer. “At first, because I didn’t want to talk about it. Then, because I was scared that you’d be caught in the crossfire. You already drowned because of me. I think you might be easier to kill than you realize.” She stared at her feet, unable to meet his eyes. Her shoulders felt heavy, and she suddenly was overcome with a wave of exhaustion. 

“That happened because I made a choice, not because of you. You should have said something, at the very least, before we went into Apocrypha. I would’ve told you to stay behind. Maybe we might have prevented this.” His jaw clenched; she was in this mess because she’d been helping him find Fathis. 

He felt a crushing pressure in his chest. She’d begged him to look through Fathis’s things before they went to Aprocrypha, and he’d been too stubborn to listen to another solution. Was that why she hadn’t said anything? Because he’d been unwilling to listen? This was his fault.

 “We prevented you from being manipulated by Hermaeus Mora. That’s enough.” Aelyn said definitively.

“Yeah, now it’s you who got stuck in a deal instead.” Val frowned, dissatisfied with her answer. She had a burning brand on her arm as a result. At least he’d known what he was getting into when bargaining with the Daedric Prince.

“I don’t regret going with you. I’d do it again.” Aelyn looked up at him suddenly as if sensing his self-blame. “If you can say that your drowning is because of a choice you made, then so is this. I made a choice, Val. You don’t get to own that. Hermaeus Mora was always coming for me, sooner or later, because I stole something from him.” He scoffed. Of course, she’d be the one to throw his own words back at him. She was always surprising him, being stubborn at the least expected moments over things he didn’t understand. He shook his head.

“And the owner of the book?” Val asked at the mention of someone coming after her. 

“He’s trapped.” Aelyn nodded to the book under his hand. Val’s eyes went wide. 

“In Apocrypha?” He clarified, the reality of such a fate not lost on him. Stuck in Hermaeus Mora’s realm for how long? The last twenty years, at least. He’d be furious.

“That’s why I took the book. To make sure he couldn’t get out.” She admitted, shifting somewhat uncomfortably. “He’s a monster; we can’t ever let him get out.”

“Mora didn’t conjure a Lurker to threaten you.” The thought suddenly clicked; the way she had said it, her fear and desperation all added up. “He came for you – the owner of the book.” Aelyn looked away, and that was admission enough. “Well.” Here, amidst the things Val didn’t want to admit he was feeling, was something easier to tackle. The need to eliminate the leverage Hermaeus Mora had over Aelyn. “Tell me about him. Why is he trapped in there?”

“No.” Aelyn shook her head resolutely. That wasn’t an option. 

“I need to know more about him if we’re going to kill him,” Val explained as if it was an obvious conclusion. “If we remove what Mora has dangling over your head, you can’t be threatened with it, and we have a better chance of bargaining that mark off your arm.”

“We can’t kill him. He’s too powerful. He’s been in there for thousands of years, with all of Apocrypha at his fingertips. It’s fine; I’ll get control over this thing,” She gestured blithely at her arm before continuing, “and he can stay stuck in the book.” 

“Did you just say thousands of years? Just who is this guy?” Val was infinitely more concerned as the truth became clearer. They were interrupted by a frantic knock at the door. 

“Aelyn!” Remi called, clearly upset over something. “Aelyn, hey, the city guard is at the door and – Get your hands off of me!” Aelyn flung the door open, ready for a fight, to find six of the Markarth City guard in their flat and Remi already in binds. One large guard, the one that seemed to be in charge, stepped into her room. 

“You and all accomplices are hereby under arrest by order of the Jarl.” He announced. Aelyn paused, glancing back at Val, who looked venomous. 

“What for?” She demanded.

“Breaking into the court wizard’s tower, conspiring against the good order of the city, and the murder of Weylin, a citizen of Markarth.” He nodded, and two other guards entered the room to place the two of them in binds. 

Chapter Text

“How could they just toss Scrap around like that?” Remi cried as she paced back and forth in front of the fire. “I’m furious! And it’s… It’s… Well, I’ve never actually been imprisoned like this before.” Remi dropped to a seated position by the fire. “What are we going to do?”

Aelyn blew out a breath and looked up at the rocky cavern above them. They'd been sentenced to a life of hard labor in the Cidnah mine, which was owned by the Silver-Blood family, like everything in Markarth. The guards had confiscated their armor and whatever had been on their persons at the time. A steep price to pay for the death of one forsworn agent and supposedly breaking into Calcelmo’s tower. There had been no trial, no further explanation. She clenched her jaw at how they'd dragged her out of the flat and directly to the mine. 

The prison rags provided little comfort against the chill that clung to the stone around them. Aelyn dropped her gaze, arms folded over her chest, staring at the fire that crackled in the center of the mine. Val had already made himself quite comfortable, lounging beside the campfire as if he was, in fact, the owner of the mine. 

“If one hair on his head is -Well, I suppose he doesn’t have hair…” Remi continued to pace. “Val, how can you be lounging around at a time like this?” Val heaved a sigh before propping himself up on his elbow.

“The situation is not ideal.” He ran a hand through his hair, and Aelyn scoffed. 

“Oh, you think?” She rolled her eyes, and he frowned. “It’s obviously a setup.” Aelyn snapped. 

“Well, now that we’re both criminals,” Val got to his feet, pulling a small purple bottle from the band of his trousers. “Here. This oughtta be useful at least.” 

“I’m not a criminal.” Aelyn hissed. “Is this skooma ?”

“Any of the addicts in here will probably kill someone for you for that. It’s a useful bargaining chip.” Val pressed the little bottle into her palm. 

“If they don’t kill me for it. Val, we’ve been here for three hours; how did you even get your hands on this?” Aelyn stared at him in shock.

“I’m likable. People just want to help me.” He grinned before ruffling her hair. “And by your own standards – you’re now a criminal. Am I recalling that correctly? Criminals get caught? That’s what you said?”  

Aelyn blew out a breath quickly, tucking the little bottle away as an older man approached them. He was a Breton, his fair hair pulled back into a messy ponytail. His face was lined with age, or perhaps it was the environment. He gave an air about him that he’d been down there a long while. 

“You there, new blood.” He stopped to assess her briefly before continuing. “What are you in for?” Aelyn bit her cheek for a moment. He looked strong but fragile. She could probably take him.

“Murder.” She had killed a man in broad daylight. Wasn’t that one of the charges the guards had foisted on her when they had decidedly dragged their trio away?

“Violent one, huh? Best keep that to yourself, new blood. Others find out, they’ll consider that a challenge.” The man rubbed his hands before the flames in a vain attempt to warm them. “The name’s Uraccen. You must be the new lifer.”

“What’s it to you?” She asked slowly. Aelyn could tell by his direct address that Uraccen hadn’t approached her for idle conversation.

“Guards sold you out good. Word is you took the fall to cover up for some Reachman named Eltrys poking around. Wrong place, wrong time.”   

“Am I supposed to know what that means?” Aelyn’s brow furrowed in irritation. She opened her mouth to press the issue further when a deep voice called out across the open space. 

“You there! I want a word!” The largest Orc that Aelyn had ever seen stood menacingly on the perimeter. 

It took Aelyn a moment before she could discern the cell gate tucked into the rock beside him. Both Aelyn and Val stood up straight. Remi tentatively got to her feet behind them. 

“That’s Borkul, the Beast,” Uraccen whispered before starting to back away. “I heard he ripped a man’s arm off and beat him to death with it. He’s old-fashioned like that. Glad I’m not you. Nice knowing you, new blood.” The Breton made himself scarce as Aelyn and Val made their way over to the menacing Orc. 

Borkul gave Aelyn a cursory glance and didn’t even bother to look at Remi, instead giving Val a thorough once-over. He grunted as his lip lifted in a sneer. 

“What are you in for?” Clearly, Aelyn and Remi weren’t worth his time. Aelyn’s jaw clenched. 

“I was caught stealing sweet rolls.” Val quipped, and the Orc started to chuckle. 

“What a clever thief you are.” In the next moment, the amusement fell from Borkul’s face. “Liar.”

“Well, maybe it was slightly more complicated than that.” Val had that smooth half smile on his face that Aelyn recognized from whenever he was bullshitting someone. She watched their interaction carefully, willing to bet anything that Borkul already knew precisely why they were in there. She was willing to wager even further that whatever was behind that cell door Borkul was guarding had something to do with it. 

“You’re a true killer, like me.” Borkul’s voice dropped. “What was it like? Killing your first one, huh?” 

Aelyn’s gut soured as her gaze drifted up to Val’s face. She caught it, if only for a fraction of a moment, the slip in Val’s mask. Perhaps she only recognized it for what it was because she’d seen exactly what his first kill had been like when they had been trapped in Apocrypha. His smooth half-smile faltered only slightly, too quickly for anyone who didn’t know what they were looking for to catch. 

“It was an ordinary day, same as the rest of them.” Val’s mask was perfect; to anyone else, it was apparent that he couldn’t care less, feeling totally unphased by the question. Aelyn could see the tension around his eyes; the turmoil was hidden there. “Don’t let me keep you from your work.” Val turned to walk away when Borkul cleared his throat, causing Val to pause. 

“He would like to see you,” Borkul announced, but instead of addressing Val, he looked at Aelyn.

“I’m sorry?” Aelyn’s head tilted slightly. 

“My job is to guard this door. No one gets in without my permission.” Borkul’s expression shifted slightly, and Aelyn began to understand. He wanted something. “Not unless you’re worth the time.”

“What do you want?” She cut to the chase. There was no use in dancing around the issue.

“Ah, new meat. So soft. Tender.” Borkul sneered at her, but she didn’t balk at him. Instead, she waited for his request with an air of impatience. He looked a little put out when she didn’t react the way he’d hoped.“You’ve got to pay the toll. How about you get me a shiv?”

“A shiv? Seriously.” Aelyn huffed. 

“It’s nice to have one in case I need to do some ‘shaving’.” The grin that crawled across Borkul’s face was genuine. 

“Fine.” She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. 

He wanted a prison shank? Fine. If it would get her some answers, she’d get him one. Perhaps it was time for her to put that little bottle of skooma Val had given to her work. She stole a glance in Val’s direction as they went to find a secluded little corner of the mine to make a plan. 

“Are you alright?” She whispered, knowing that Borkul had shaken him, whether he wanted to admit it or not. 

“Locked up in prison for crimes I didn’t commit, to do a lifetime of hard labor? Never been better.” Val sounded pleasant enough, but there was still an undertone of anger that lurked within his words. 

“That’s not what I meant.” Aelyn frowned. Apparently, it wasn’t up for discussion.

“What sort of name is ‘Borkul the Beast’?” Remi piped up from behind them. “Although I must admit it does evoke a sort of ‘I am to be feared’ imagery.” Her voice rose in pitch a little. Remi was terrified. Aelyn deflated, feeling responsible. They were all there because of her, weren’t they? Guilty by association. 

“Don’t worry, Remi. We won’t be here long,” Aelyn said softly, more to herself than to anyone else. 

Chapter Text

Aelyn had never once stopped to consider the life of a miner. She quickly developed a newfound respect for the profession. The work was downright brutal; chipping away at rocks with a pick all day was exhausting—just as the lack of fresh air and sunlight chipped away at one’s soul. Cidnah Mine felt inescapable. 

Feeling weary after a long day of learning to mine silver ore, she pushed her sweat-soaked hair back from her forehead with a grimy hand. She was covered in dirt and dust, dead on her feet, and looking as worn as she felt. Aelyn glanced over to Val as the call signaling that the last cart had been sent up echoed through the mine. He was just as sweaty, just as dirty, and he still looked every bit the charming rogue regardless. She frowned. It really was unfair. 

Remi had been sent to keep track of the weights and number of carts sent up from the mine. Aelyn tried to spot her as they filtered back toward the main cavern, the inmates dispersing to their various cells built into the walls of the mine. There were no bars or cell doors inside the mine, save for makeshift ones built from scavenged wood, old broken equipment, and the one that Borkul the Beast guarded. 

Val spotted Remi first by virtue of being half a foot taller than Aelyn. He waved her over, and while Aelyn barely had the energy to lift her feet, Val still sported an easy smile on his face. It was as if this were just another day like the rest to him, and they weren’t trapped underground doing hard labor with no sense of the passage of time. 

“One day down, only sixty years or so to go.” Val grinned as Remi reached them. 

“For me. You’re probably going to be here longer than that.” Remi smiled at Val and then frowned a little at Aelyn’s obviously haggard appearance. 

“Hm? Oh, I suppose you’re right, I am half-Dunmer. Well, Aelyn will keep me company after you die. We’ll miss you, Remi.” Val chuckled as both Aelyn and Remi scowled at him.

“We won’t be here that long,” Aelyn grumbled before coughing. The dust from the mine shaft felt like it was stuck in her throat. She pulled out a small knife made from the broken tip of a pickaxe. She had pried it out of the rock during their shift. 

“Look at you, little Miss Resourceful.” Val took the piece from her and inspected it. “We can sharpen the edges up and wrap the base in something for a handle.”

They spent the evening near the fire in the main cavern. Val sharpened the shiv against a rock, and Remi made notes in the dirt with her finger while muttering to herself. Aelyn stood up, dragging her feet as she wandered away from the fire in search of an out-of-the-way place to relieve herself. She hadn’t gone far when she heard the sound of running water. Her heart sang at the idea of fresh water, rejuvenating her aching limbs. She ran, following the sound. 

Aelyn turned a sharp bend in the tunnel, noting the flickering light from an old Dwemer lamp mounted against a smooth section of stone. She realized then that the mine must have been connected to the old ruins under Markarth. She and Remi had been there before, to Nchuand-Zel. The city beneath the city, an ancient sprawling ruin, an echo of an age long past. She saw the glimmer of moving water just past the edge of the light. Water sprung from the rock and ran freely down into a grate at the end of the tunnel, which looked to have been hammered into place, fortified with loose rock from the inside.

Aelyn rushed over to the spring, frantically washing the grime from her hands and face before cupping the water in her hands and drinking deeply. The water left for the miners was stale and suspect at best. But fresh, cool, clean water? This was the closest to dying of happiness she’d ever been. 

Soon, she was splashing it on her face once more, rubbing the fresh water through her hair and down her arms. She shivered almost uncontrollably from the chill air and the cold water but didn’t care, not bothering to question why no one had ventured near the spring. She pulled the ragged prisoner’s top over her head and cleaned herself hurriedly. She was about to pull off her trousers, stripping down to her small clothes, when someone cleared their throat, and she froze. Aelyn turned her head slowly to the side, already making plans on how to hide the body of whatever pervert was catching a show. 

“Do continue,” Val smirked, standing beside the flickering lamp. Aelyn jumped back from the spring, crossing her arms over her chest, attempting to look indignant.  He sauntered over to her, his grin turning into something more heated. “Please, I think we’re a little past pretending to be shy.” 

“Why did you follow me?” Her teeth were starting to chatter from the chill. 

“You just got up and walked off; you didn’t even say anything. Of course, I followed you. You have to admit you tend to find trouble. Not that I mind.” He gently took her hands in his, guiding her closer when she stopped just short of the embrace he was seeking. 

“You’re filthy,” Aelyn stated. Val paused, still holding her hands. The shock on his face faded as a slow smirk deepened the corner of his mouth. 

“Clean me up, then.” He stepped back from her, closer to the spring, and placed her hands on his chest. 

Her heart suddenly beat loudly in her ears, and her mouth went dry as she licked her lips. She tried to breathe normally; it was like this every time: a rush of adrenaline, a strange fluttering feeling drawing her in, like she was excited, jittery, and nervous all at once. The heat radiating off of him was addicting; she craved it, craved him. It was impossible to forget how his hands felt, his mouth, or the weight of his body pressed against hers. He leaned in, about to tease her with a brush of his lips when the sound of a rock falling made them both jump. 

They both peered into the darkness beyond the grate just a few feet from the spring. A foreboding silence seeped from the darkness. Val bent his brows, eyes straining into the shadows. Aelyn tried to hold her breath, listening for the slightest noise in the dark before her chest began to burn, and she was forced to suck in a lungful of air. 

A soft, skittering noise answered her, and Aelyn snatched her shirt off the ground, hurriedly pulling it over her head. Being half-dressed when hearing questionable sounds in the dark was never a good idea. Val still peered into the darkness, a frown forming on his face. He stood up straight, taking a step toward the grate. A clicking noise made him pause, and Val began to pull strands of light into his hands, gathering them into a small orb that glowed and flickered like a torch above his head when he released it. The darkness seemed to gleam in the dim light, which didn’t seem right. He stepped closer once more, and suddenly, the void moved, clicking and gliding almost frantically. Chaurus. At least twelve of them had to be in the crevice beyond the grate, crawling over one another, madly trying to break through the barrier to get at their prey and growing in number. 

“Val!” Aelyn called to him as giant pincers and gnashing jaws began attacking the grate. One of the creatures pulled back, preparing to spray a corrosive venom, and Val screamed in a high-pitched, frantic shriek of terror. The unusually high pitch shocked Aelyn to the point of stumbling backward as they turned to run, the corrosive venom from the Chaurus catching her lower calf before Val was able to pull her out of the way.

The venom ate into her leg, melting her skin. Hot tears sprang forth, streaking down her face as she tried her best not to scream. Val pulled her up as they ran around the corner away from the Chaurus, the clicking and skittering noises echoing down the tunnel toward them. 

“You pick the worst times to be clumsy!” Val scolded, setting her down to look at the wound she’d sustained. 

“I wasn’t expecting such a high pitch- AH!” Aelyn squeezed her eyes shut, a wave of hot pain making her stomach turn and her head prick.

“What? What’s that supposed to mean?” Val asked as he frowned at her leg. 

They needed to rinse the venom out. They had moments before the pain fully set in, and she was no longer in her right mind. Chaurus venom in and of itself was corrosive to the skin and muscle tissues but not deadly in the bloodstream. She was likely to be in the worst pain of her life for about thirty minutes, and if they could flush the wound quickly enough, she wouldn’t lose her foot. 

Without warning, he picked her up, earning a groan of pain from Aelyn. She was already shaking; the venom burned, and her whole body wracked with wave after wave of sharp, cutting, brutal pain. Her head started to loll; she was about to pass out. 

“Hang in there, stay with me.” He tried to keep her awake by giving her a little shake.

It was too late; her head fell back, though her body still trembled and twitched. He supposed it was luckier to be unconscious. The venom of a Chaurus was known to cause pain so intense that some took their own lives in seeking to reprieve. Val sprinted back to the main cavern, Remi springing to her feet when she saw them. Borkul the Beast was still standing guard at the only cell door in the mine, grinning wide as he saw Val carrying Aelyn in his arms.

“What happened!” Remi cried, eyes wide with worry.

“Someone found the spring.” Borkul chuckled darkly as he stood by, making no move to help them. 

“Water, we have to flush the venom,” Val ordered quickly. “Do you know any healing spells?” Remi ran to get a bucket of water from the barrels near the entrance of the mine. 

“A little! I’m not very good,” she shouted back to him as he tried to get Aelyn into a sitting position. He shook her, gently slapping her cheek. Her eyes opened, rolled, and then she was out again. In the moments it took Remi to return, Aelyn had become drenched in sweat. 

“Looks like we might have another body to toss out on Morndas.” Borkul laughed, his eyes flashing in the firelight. But his laughter stopped short at the intensity of Val’s glare. Another word promised death, and the air nearly crackled around him. Borkul cleared his throat and remained silent, his gaze fixed on the far wall.

Remi returned with a bucket sloshing with water and puffing for air; she had run the entire way to the entrance of the mine and back. She kneeled beside her friend and slowly poured the water over the wound. Aelyn’s back arched, and her eyes rolled madly. She wasn’t awake, not really, but her body reacted violently all the same, and Val did his best to hold her still as Remi tried to flush out the venom. 

It went on for a quarter of an hour, Remi and Val taking turns running for water and trying to rinse the area of venom before Remi tried her hand at healing Aelyn. The spell was weak, and Remi was shaking from running back and forth for the water, but it would have to be enough. 

Chapter Text

A warmth spreading through her body woke her, and her first thought was how sore her throat was, but she became aware of the real pain when she tried to sit up. Aelyn couldn’t even groan; nothing but a soft whimper came out. She tried to roll onto her side, but something was stopping her, some sort of restraint across her chest accompanied by a low sort of murmuring in her ear. It took a moment for her to realize it was Val restraining her, talking to her calmly like she was a spooked horse. 

“I think she’s coming to.” Remi slowly let go of her legs, watching as Aelyn’s eyes began to open. 

It felt like a monumental effort just to blink. Aelyn opened and closed her mouth, trying to alleviate the soreness in her jaw. Her lungs and throat burned as if she had been screaming for hours, her body ached, and her head pounded. She began to recall how she had arrived at such a state; the last thing she remembered was being hit by the spray of Chaurus venom. 

“My leg?” Aelyn croaked. 

“Remi managed to save it,” Val said quietly, his grip on her loosening slightly. With Val’s help, Aelyn got into a sitting position, the pain in her limbs slowly fading. 

“About time, you lot are so dramatic.” Borkul, who had not said a word since Val had glared at him earlier, finally piped up. “You got my shiv?”

“Yes, we have your shiv,” Aelyn grumbled, looking to Val, who pulled out the refurbished axe pick. 

“Good, he was getting impatient.” Borkul took the shiv and pulled out a key to unlock the cell door. “Follow the tunnel; you’ll find him back there.”

“Find who?” Remi piped up bravely, puffing her chest out a little. Borkul didn’t respond and simply stood by the open cell door. 

The tunnel was narrow and poorly lit. The three of them had to enter the small passageway in single file, nonetheless eager to finally meet the mysterious person who stayed locked up behind the only cell door inside the mine. Who could be such a threat inside the mine that they deserved so much security? Val and Aelyn eyed another grate in the wall as they passed by. It was much like the one the Chaurus had been hiding in, but the space beyond it was clearly another tunnel. A Dwemer lamp was shining dimly on the other side of the grate; the tunnel turned off to the right beyond it. Aelyn felt a strange chill crawl up her spine as they passed by it, and she recognized the unmistakable source instantly. There was a slight breeze. 

Their path took a sharp turn into a small vestibule, a little room dug out of the earth, and they finally came face to face with the mysterious prisoner who had requested their presence. Aelyn wasn’t sure what she had been expecting, but an elderly Breton wasn’t on the list. He was thin and pale; it had been many years since this man had seen the sun, seated at a small table, scratching away furiously with a quill in his hand. His dark grey hair hung in unkempt locks about his shoulders. He didn’t even look up as he spoke, engrossed in writing what looked to be a rather urgent letter. His voice was scratchy and rough from disuse.

“Well, well. Look at you. The Nords have turned you into an animal. A wild beast caged up and left to go mad. So, my fellow beast, what do you want? Answers about the Forsworn? Revenge?” He paused then, setting down his quill, and Aelyn wondered where he obtained writing materials from inside the mine. 

“What are you talking about?” Val asked, standing at the forefront of their trio. The man looked past him at Aelyn, disregarding Val completely. 

“Who are you?” Aelyn asked cautiously. 

“I’m the reason you’re here. Madanach, The King in Rags. You killed my agent in the street a few weeks back. I needed a catalyst to set off my plan. That’s why you’re here.” Madanach leaned back in his chair. It was old and worn, like the desk he was writing at, like the bed in the corner. The furniture was built from broken scraps; it had been brought there.  They had provisioned him when he’d been taken to the mine.

“The King in Rags?” Remi repeated as if trying to recall some bit of information about the man before them. 

“He led the Reachmen in capturing Markarth during the Great War and ruled the province as its King but was ousted by Ulfric Stormcloak almost thirty years ago now.” Val was keenly aware that Madanach was refusing to speak with him; was it because he looked like a Nord?

“This was our land. We were here first.” Madanach stood, a glint of something like madness in his eyes, “Then the Nords came and put chains on us. Forbid us from worshipping our gods. Some of us refused to bow. We knew the old ways would lead us back to having a kingdom of our own.” He sat back down, his muscles tensed in anger, “That is who we are. The Forsworn. Criminals in our own lands. And we will cut a bloody hole into the Reach until we are free.”

“What was it like being imprisoned here with Ulfric?” Aelyn pondered since Ulfric had also served time in Cidnah Mine for war crimes after taking the reach.

“Why do you think there is a guard and a cell door?” Madanach replied tartly. “I had Markarth. My men and I drove the Nords out. We had won, or so we thought. Retribution was swift. I was captured, quickly tried, and sentenced to death. But my execution never came. Thonar Silver-Blood stopped it. He wanted the Forsworn at his call that I would point their rage at his enemies and spare his allies. And I have. Humiliating at first, but I knew he would let his guard down eventually. That he would come to trust I was under control.”

“Listen, I’m not sure I understand what you’re after, but I want my freedom, freedom for me and my friends,” Aelyn said impatiently, wanting to get to the bottom of the issue. 

“Freedom? Yes. I want you to know how widespread the injustice of Markarth is. Take down Thonar. There’s a man named Braig inside these mines. Besides me, he’s been here the longest. Tell him I sent you. Ask him why he’s here. ” Madanach returned to his letter, and Aelyn clenched her fists to keep from pommeling the old man. 

“I don’t care. I just want out. You don’t need to motivate me.” She bit out through gritted teeth. 

“That’s where you’re mistaken.” Madanach stood up to peer down at Aelyn with a sneer, “You’re one of us now, you see? A slave. The boot of the Nord stepping on your throat.” He cut a vile glare in Val’s direction, “Maybe if you understood that, I could help you.” 

“The only slave here is you. Your hatred is your chains, and you and your people will never be free until you understand that. I’m not an animal, Madanach, but maybe you’ve become exactly what they wanted.” She spat back at him.

“So many say that, at first, until they realize the truth. If you change your mind, speak to Braig. Tell him I sent you. I want you to know how widespread the injustice of Markarth is.” The King in Rags sat back down, continuing the long, scrawling script where he had left off. They had been dismissed.

Chapter Text

Aelyn kicked a rock in frustration and immediately regretted it. Her leg wasn’t fully healed, and it had aggravated the injury. She let out a quiet growl of irritation in response. 

“Just where does he get off?” Aelyn muttered under her breath. 

“Madanach has been running the Forsworn from inside Cidnah Mine all this time?” Val mused aloud, clearly surprised by the information. 

“And now he wants us to fix it for him,” Remi grumbled. 

“Madanach wouldn’t know freedom if it slapped him in the face.” Aelyn continued to pace. 

“Hey, don’t let him get in your head.” Val saw through Madanach’s scheme, and the irony wasn’t lost on him. Madanach wanted Aelyn, who had murdered his agent, to turn around and take down his enemy in his place. Aelyn wasn’t hearing Val, though; she was too deep into her own thoughts.

“And that bull he said about ‘ Maybe if you understood that, I could help you,’ he was talking about you.” Aelyn glanced at Val as she continued to wear a path into the dirt. “It's the same shit the Nords had done to him, and he thinks doing it right back is justice?”

“You’ve been a little wound up since we’ve been in here,” Val got to his feet, “What’s really going on?”

“I’m mad that he’d treat you like that.” Aelyn paused as Val stepped into her path. 

“No, it’s more than just that.” He folded his arms over his chest, giving her that calculating stare that made her feel like he was looking right through her. 

“I don’t like being manipulated.” She stood her ground. That wasn’t the whole truth, but Val outright laughed, and her hackles went up. 

“Seriously?” Val tried to contain his sarcasm. “What about Brynjolf? Karliah? Nocturnal? They’ve all done the same thing to you.” Aelyn leveled him a glare. He’d hit a nerve, and while he hadn’t meant to dig at her needlessly, he’d achieved it all the same. The hurt in her eyes turned to anger.

“And I’m not okay with that either! I’ve sacrificed too much to be able to make my own choices to let someone take it away so easily.” She squared her shoulders as she spoke, “We’re getting out of here, one way or another.” It wasn’t just about choices, though; it was about freedom, about not feeling trapped. 

“Aelyn-” Val began, but she wasn’t about to listen to him after he’d thrown the Guild in her face. They both knew how it had weighed on her and how she’d struggled to escape them. 

“I’m going to find this Braig guy, listen to his story, and talk to Madanach again. I won’t rot in here for the rest of my life, and when we’re free, I’ll return the Skeleton Key and wash my hands of the Thieves Guild once and for all. ” Aelyn turned on her heel and stalked off into the darkness, leaving Remi and Val staring after her. 

Aelyn wasn’t exactly sure where to find Braig, but she was certain there was someone who would know: Uraccen. The older Breton seemed to hang around near the back of the mine, and it didn’t take Aelyn long to find him. She regretted turning over the shiv to Borkul with how the other prisoners sneered at her, but it did not deter her. She needed to find Braig, and the easiest way to do that was through Uraccen. 

His head lifted as she approached him, and Aelyn immediately realized something was wrong. His eyes were bloodshot and unfocused, his mouth hanging open slightly. The man next to him wasn’t someone Aelyn recognized, but he also wore the same unfocused expression. They were on Skooma. 

“Uraccen?” Aelyn stood over him while he grinned listlessly.

“Thas meeee.” He slurred. Aelyn frowned. 

“Are you high?” She asked. 

“I gotta escape somehow,” Uraccen chuckled. The man slouched next to him watched her as well, his frown mirroring her own before he spoke up.

“What d’ya want with ’im? We’re busy.” He was also a Breton, with thick brown hair that hung in his dark eyes and a long braided beard that looked poorly kept.

“I can see that. I need to find someone named Braig. You know him?” Aelyn asked as her gaze swept over the pair. 

“Sure. Sure. Tell ya where to find him, too.” The Breton sneered, his eyes taking on a strange glint. “For a price.” Aelyn folded her arms over her chest and blew out a breath. 

“Everyone wants something.” She muttered. “What is it then?”

“Get us another bottle of Skooma, and I’ll tell ya where to find’im.” The Breton smiled, and Uraccen began to laugh. 

“I’m not helping you get high.” Aelyn spat, angry that they’d ask her to do such a thing. Even if she had that bottle Val had given her still tucked into her waistband. Even if handing it over was a quick and easy solution. Even if she wanted her freedom from the mine more than she wanted to breathe…

“You got nothin’ for me? I got nothin’ for you.” The Breton waved her off, settling back against the rock to enjoy the numbing sensation running through his veins. Aelyn huffed. 

“Fine.” She bit the inside of her cheek as she pulled out the bottle. Uraccen’s eyes lit up, and the Breton beside him grinned. 

“I knew you had it in ya.” He sat up and held out his hand for the small purple bottle. “The name is Duach, by the way.”

“Tell me what I want to know first. I don’t need you getting all messed up and forgetting.” Aelyn pulled her hand back. He paused, about to insist, but something in her eyes made him reconsider. 

“Right, right.” Duach pushed his hair back and took a breath in an attempt to steady his mind. “Braig, let’s see… Northern tunnels this time of night. Might even still be awake. Go to the upper level and find your way ‘round to the north side; there’s only one path down from there. You’ll find him.”

She had her answer. Aelyn held out the bottle, and Braig smiled an almost genuine smile as he took the bottle from her hands and waved her away. Uraccen’s laughter sounded slightly unhinged as she turned her back on them. 

She walked away feeling ill at the idea of what she’d just done. Feeling sick over how little it seemed to bother her. She’d long tried to convince herself she was a good person, and yet, time and time again, she found ways to prove herself wrong. That feeling of satisfaction she’d had when completing Brynjolf’s first mission for her, how she’d left Tarek to drown in his own blood, and now, handing over Skooma to feed someone’s addiction. She wanted to be better than this, but what else could she do? 

When Aelyn emerged from the back tunnel, Remi immediately popped up; Val, however, didn’t move a muscle. Still lying by the fire, obviously sulking but wouldn’t admit to it. 

“Any luck?” Remi asked as she entered the central cavern. 

“It turns out everyone’s a Skooma addict,” Aelyn muttered, and Val scoffed, a slight grin hiding in the corner of his mouth even as he stared straight ahead into the fire before him. “Braig is somewhere in the northern tunnels, so I’m heading there now.” Aelyn fought the urge to glance down at Val. So what if his stupid bottle came in handy? It was petty. She knew it, but damn him if he thought he could just say whatever he wanted without consequence. 

“I’ll go with you.” Remi glanced down at Aelyn’s leg, still raw and red from the Chaurus venom. “How is it? I’m pretty tapped out on magic, but I could try-”

“No, it’s fine.” Aelyn smiled at her friend; in truth, she’d been so caught up in being pissed at Val and then disgusted with herself that the subtle sting of her raw flesh had been completely forgotten. “Let’s go before it gets any later into the night. Otherwise, we’ll have to wait till the end of the next work shift.” Aelyn sighed and forgot for a moment that she was angry and not making eye contact with Val. Their gazes met briefly before she looked away. Just a glance and suddenly she was overcome with a familiar warm fluttering sensation. Val groaned in surrender, and Aelyn took a small comfort in the fact that she wasn't the only one suffering some sort of effect.  

“Fine. I’m coming with you.” He couldn’t resist, couldn’t stay away even when he wanted to, and he was becoming acutely concerned he had a far more dangerous addiction than Skooma. 

“No one asked you to,” Aelyn said curtly as he got to his feet. 

“Right. Well, lead the way.” Val glossed over the sharp edge of her words. He found himself frustrated with his lack of restraint around the blue-eyed Breton. Aelyn started toward the ramp to the upper level, hiding a secret grin with her back turned toward the pirate. 

Chapter Text

The northern tunnels were narrower than the others, having been made much more recently than the rest of the mine. Remi was obviously uncomfortable, on edge, and jumpy. Aelyn was aware of Remi’s distaste for underground spaces, though it wasn’t generally so noticeable. 

“Are you alright?” Aelyn paused to ask. Remi flinched.

“Yeah, I’m sure it’s just my imagination that the ceiling is slowly getting closer.” The tight space did not help the situation. “I think the fact that we’re imprisoned here is making it worse. Who makes a prison underground?!” Val laid a hand on her shoulder. 

“Hey, you’re gonna be alright. Just – deep breaths.” He assured her, though it seemed to have little effect. 

“I miss Scrap. I wonder what he’s doing?” Remi was spiraling. Aelyn had been so focused on her that she nearly walked into someone on their way out of the mine shaft. 

“Oh, sorry.” Aelyn stopped and attempted to step to the side at the same time as the older-looking Breton did. He was bald and looked somewhat more frail than the other miners. 

“Ah, sorry, I’ll just be – say you’re new, huh?” The man had begun to move out of her way before he stopped, examining her face. A strange feeling washed over Aelyn, something that had her on guard, even though the man didn’t seem threatening or foul. “What’s your name?”

“I -” She fumbled for a response. A hand shot out over her shoulder.

“I’m Val.” He smiled charmingly, shaking the stranger’s hand. The man eyed him for a moment and then smiled, shaking his hand. 

“You’re a Nord. Not many in these tunnels. I’m Grisvar.” The man smiled, but there seemed to be a minor threat lurking in his words. 

“Grisvar?” Aelyn repeated. Had she heard his name in passing? It sounded familiar. 

“Grisvar the Unlucky. I heard you gave Borkul a shiv. Brave move that. I usually have that market cornered down here. Where did you manage to get one?” Grisvar eyed her keenly. 

“I found a broken axe pick stuck in the rock,” Aelyn explained. Grisvar nodded. “What you down here for?” 

“The first time? Thieving. The second time was thieving, and the third time was also thieving. It just keeps going like that.” Grisvar shrugged, his blue eyes twinkling. 

“I thought you only came down here for a life sentence?” Aelyn’s curiosity was piqued. 

“No, pretty much everyone in Markarth gets sent here to do a sentence of hard labor for everything from pickpocketing to murder.” He shrugged. “What’s brought you to this end of the tunnel?” He asked cheerily. 

“Uh, looking for someone.” Aelyn took a half step back.

“Hm, the only person you’ll find back that way is Braig. He doesn’t talk to anyone,” Grisvar mused. “Who are you looking for? Maybe I can help?” 

“Oh, um, I’m not sure – I’ll just have a look around. Don’t mind us.” Aelyn smiled, attempting to sidestep Grisvar once again. He gave her a contemplative look before moving aside and letting them pass. Aelyn felt a stone’s weight sinking in her stomach. 

They continued on, the winding mine shaft finally opening up slightly. Wooden rafters reinforced parts of the tunnel and small alcoves where deposits of silver had been found marked the distance they’d traveled. Remi was babbling to keep her head. 

“You know, I’ve been thinking. This feels a lot like manipulation. Forcing us to listen to some sob story? Also, Borkul isn’t a very good guard, is he? He just lets people buy or talk their way through to Madanach. Gosh, I hope Scrap is alright. He must be so lonely…” Remi nearly walked into Aelyn’s back as she stopped short. 

They had come to the mine shaft’s end, where it opened into a small vestibule. The area was empty except for a flickering lantern, bedroll, and a few other necessities. A man was sitting on the worn-looking sleeping pad, smoking. A dangerous pastime in the mines, gas pockets could seep in or be opened up unexpectedly and ignite from even the spark of a pickaxe against the rock. They would all be dead. The lucky ones would die in the blast; the others would be left to suffocate or starve. Aelyn supposed the man was choosing his luck. He looked to be around the same age as Madanach, his eyes less bright, the same color as the earth around them. His hair hung to his shoulders in uneven, white braids. The markings on his face indicated he was a Forsworn; the blue tribal tattoos were earned. 

“I’m looking for Braig.” Aelyn approached cautiously. 

“Get out. I’m not one for talking.” He sounded educated, if ill-tempered. 

“Madanach sent me. He wanted me to hear your story.” Aelyn explained, and the man scoffed. 

“Fine.” He caved easily at the mention of Madanach. He took a long drag from the rolled herb he was smoking before gesturing for her to sit. His eyes passed over Remi and settled on Val momentarily before returning to Aelyn. 

“My story, huh? Everyone in Cidhna Mine has a tale.” He carefully put out his smoke, “Let’s hear yours first. When was the first time you felt chains around your wrists?”

“Young.” Aelyn sat flatly, in a way that expressed that was all the information he was getting from her. Braig smiled as he sat back and seemed to really look at Aelyn for the first time. 

“Fine. Don’t tell me. But I know that look in your eyes.” Braig’s smile faded, and he was clearly battling some inner ghost. “You’re someone who’s faced death at the hand of someone else. You know the hard looks as judgment gets set upon you. The sneers of people who never had to face sentence.”

“Your story.” Aelyn reminded him. Braig watched her carefully for a moment. 

“Got any family out there?” He asked, reaching for his canteen nearby. Aelyn’s eyes hardened. 

“None that I’d care to mention.” Aelyn knew that response hadn’t gone unnoticed. Val stiffened, and even Remi cast her a confused glance. 

“I had a daughter once,” Braig said quietly, his form going still. “She’d be twenty-three this year. Married to some hot-headed silver worker or maybe on her own learning the herb trade.” He took a deep breath as his voice began to shake, either with loss or rage or perhaps both. The two emotions so entwined it was impossible to decipher where one ended and the other began. “The Nords didn’t care who was and who wasn’t involved in the Forsworn Uprising. I had spoken to Madanach once; that was enough.” His eyes misted over, red with unshed tears as he continued, “But my little Aethra didn’t want to see her papa leave her. She pleaded to the Jarl to take her instead. And after they made me watch as her head rolled off the block, they threw me in here anyway to dig up their silver.”

Silence fell over the space. No one spoke for a long moment. Aelyn hated the sick feeling in her stomach and the rage she felt over his story. This is what Madanach wanted: to get under her skin and invoke her sense of justice so he could use her. 

“You think your story justifies the murders the Forsworn committed?” Aelyn let the words go with a bit of a snarl. Braig just shook his head instead of taking her bait and getting angry. It had been too long; the heat of his rage had cooled and turned to ice in his veins. He knew the actual goal wasn’t to right the injustice. That would never happen for him or his daughter. But revenge… That was another story altogether. 

“I’m not Madanach. I was never a leader of the Forsworn.” Braig relit his smoke, “The only anger I can justify is my own.” He paused, holding Aelyn’s gaze for a moment before speaking again, “But every family in the Reach has a story like mine. There are no innocent onlookers in this struggle. Just the guilty and the dead.” His words hit her with a weight she was unprepared for. 

“I’m sorry to hear what happened to you.” She said and meant it. 

“My daughter is the one who needs your pity. I’m just a poor Forsworn whose only regret is not killing more Nords before I was locked up.” Braig hadn’t gone down willingly then. After they’d executed his daughter, he’d gone mad with violence, and suddenly Aelyn understood how he’d earned the blue tattoos on his face. She nodded and stood. Madanach had known precisely what he was doing, sending her to speak with Braig.

Chapter Text

“I’m certainly no fan of the law.” Remi began as they made their way back toward the central cavern, “People dictating what I should or shouldn’t do doesn’t sit right for me, after all. But the Forsworn have always been dangerous to me!” She stepped into Aelyn’s path, effectively stopping her in her tracks. “When arriving in Skyrim, I stayed in a ruin near the border. They were a constant threat to my safety despite me clearly having no ill intentions toward them.” Aelyn sighed, feeling conflicted. 

“They were hurt in the past, so they hurt others now. It’s wrong.”
She stepped around Remi and kept moving. 

“Oh. I suppose I can understand such things.” Remi nodded, but the longer she ruminated on the point, the more worked up she seemed to become. Eventually, she burst, “But I had nothing to do with hurting them before! I’d barely arrived in Skyrim. You’re right. It’s wrong. If they truly wanted revenge, they should focus on hurting the correct people.”

“That’s not quite what I meant…” Aelyn paused midstep. “They’re lashing out; it doesn’t matter to them who they hurt. They want to be feared.”

“In any case, I propose our main focus should be getting out of here. My skin is crawling with all this rock surrounding us.” Remi shivered, pressing on ahead, rubbing her arms vigorously, and giving the tunnel walls leary glances. 

Aelyn looked back at Val. He stood there waiting for her to decide whether to say what was on her mind or keep moving. 

“What do you think I should do?” She looked genuinely lost. Once again, she was repeating her mistakes, getting emotionally manipulated into someone else’s plans. 

“Not sure. I think Ulfric’s need for power and the Silver-Bloods’ corruption created more Forsworn than they ever killed. Makes you wonder who’s the rebel and who’s the king.” He ran a hand through his hair, considering her question. 

“Not a fan of the Bear of Markarth, I take it?” Aelyn asked with a raised brow. Val grimaced. 

“Ulfric is fucking idiot, and his tactics offend me professionally. If you’re going to be a piece of shit, at least be effective.” Val quipped viciously. Aelyn smirked. 

“Really? That’s a shame. I’d heard he was so handsome, too.” She turned away to hide her grin as they finally entered the central cavern. 

“What?!” Val nearly shouted behind her as she burst out laughing. “You’re kidding, right? Aelyn!” He pulled her around to face him as she fell into a fit of giggles. “Right?!”

“If you two are done flirting-” Borkul’s deep voice filled the cavern. “You should get some sleep.”

“Worried about us, pal?” Val grinned as he released Aelyn.

“You three were lucky; they threw you in here at the end of a work shift,” Borkul explained, and Aelyn’s brows bent together with concern. “Shifts are typically three days long. So get some rest.”

Borkul the Beast had been looking out for them in the strangest turn of events. The work shift was grueling. There were no guards unless the sound of axes diminished, and a designated prisoner kept watch, and for this shift, it was Grisvar. Some of the other prisoners grumbled, and it was clear that Grisvar often bribed or traded information with the guards to keep his place as shift supervisor. Since they were new, Val and Aelyn took their shift near the center of the mine, which made it easy for them to be spotted should they stop working. Grisvar smiled and waved at them as they took their places. 

Any who were lucky enough made it toward the periphery of the mine, hidden away in the winding shafts, far from the center. There was a system, though; they took turns pushing the carts of silver-veined rock to the upper levels and, on return, shuffled toward the back of the mine to take a short rest, away from the watchful eye of the shift supervisor. All of the prisoners were in on the system, though Grisvar seemed less favored than most. 

Halfway through the third day, someone tapped Aelyn on the shoulder. She sighed in relief; it was her turn to push the cart. She went over to the full cart waiting near the bottom of the ramp that led up and out of the mine and set her pickaxe against the cavern wall. She went to push the cart, but it refused to budge. Fear shot through her. What if she couldn’t push it up the ramp? She could feel Grisvar’s eyes on her as she pushed and failed again. Three days of continuous hard labor left her stamina lacking. She didn’t want to imagine what would happen to her from the guards or the miners if she didn’t get the cart up the ramp. 

This time, she got down low, using her legs, and shoved with all her might. Slowly but surely, the wheels of the cart creaked. Her legs trembled, and her feet slid in the dirt, but the cart lurched up the ramp. Her arms shook with effort, her joints screaming under the strain, and Aelyn worried she’d slip and the cart would crush her, but step after step, she endured. 

As the cart crested the end of the ramp, she nearly sobbed with relief. She wasn’t quite done, but the pain lessened somewhat. She didn’t even consider how she’d make it back down the ramp. 

From behind a caged partition, Remi jumped up, seeing Aelyn behind the cart. She smiled broadly and rushed to help her, dropping her pen and log book in her hurry. Remi grunted, pushing the cart with her. Remi was one of the few prisoners who could read, let alone do maths, earning her an easier job as the weights and measures clerk.

“Aelyn! I was wondering if I’d get to see you.” She whispered between labored breaths. 

“Hey!” One of the guards shouted as they pushed the cart onto the scales. “Get back to your post!” A female Orc in half-plate armor shoved Remi back and turned to Aelyn, pausing. 

“Oh. It’s you.” She smiled a menacing grin, her extended canines pushing her lip up in a snarl. A gleam settled into her yellowed eyes. Aelyn stumbled back as she approached. “We’ve heard a bit about you.” 

Aelyn’s chest expanded and collapsed rapidly with each breath; her limbs were shaking with fatigue. There was no way she’d even be able to run in her current state. The guard gripped the crown of her head in one palm and dragged her in front of Remi. Remi’s eyes widened, a slow understanding of what was about to happen dawning on her. 

“A friend of yours saw you talking to someone down in the mine.” The Orc leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Are you going to tell me what you were talking about? No? Not cooperating then?” 

She hadn’t even given Aelyn a chance to respond before the guard punched her hard in her abdomen. Aelyn crumpled, falling to her hands and knees. All of the air rushed out of her in a gasp; she opened and closed her mouth futilely, trying to pull in a breath. The guard stood up straight, and her metal-plated boot found Aelyn’s ribs. The gruel she’d choked down that morning came up before she collapsed entirely. 

“Aelyn!” Remi screamed, running at the Orc, who promptly backhanded her. The edge of her gauntlet caught Remiel in the temple, and she stumbled backward, her head suddenly fuzzy. 

“You talked to Braig,” The guard turned back to her, “and no one talks to Braig without being sent by Madanach.” The guard rolled Aelyn over with her boot before pulling back to kick her with force. Aelyn felt the tell-tale snap of her ribs breaking, and pain bloomed brutally through her side. “What did The King in Rags want with you?”

Aelyn understood. This wasn’t about what Madanach had said to her. It was a message for everyone in the mine not to even dream of freedom. It didn’t matter what she said, even if she could talk. The Orc pulled her to her knees, and her teeth rattled with the next blow to her face. The taste of copper filled her mouth as she bit into the side of her tongue, her lip splitting open savagely. She laughed as she threw Aelyn to the ground and kicked her again and again. 

A loud sound erupted next to her, and Aelyn recognized the sound of the end-of-shift call through the buzzing in her ears. It rang through the mine, even as the Orc lifted her by the throat and squeezed. Her vision started to go dark around the edges as her windpipe was crushed. She was out of air, starting to struggle, her fingers clawing at the gauntlet that gripped her throat.

“Knock it off, Urgoza.” Another guard called. 

“Give my regards to Grisvar.” The Orc snickered, throwing her down. Aelyn felt her shoulder connect with the ground first; the force of being thrown to the ground once more had her limp body tumbling over itself. She lay there for a moment, unable to move, before she felt someone trying to lift her. 

Remi slung Aelyn’s arm around her shoulders and began to try to walk them down the ramp. Aelyn helped as much as she could, but everything hurt, and she struggled to breathe. 

Once they reached the foot of the ramp, Remi sat Aelyn down, immediately trying to heal her side. Remiel’s head was still fuzzy, and her magicka worked in erratic spurts, which had little effect. She was vaguely aware of someone yelling. One thing was for certain: as soon as she was able, Grisvar would get what was coming to him. 

Aelyn woke up in Madanach’s cell. She found herself sitting on the ground, propped up against the cave wall. Madanach was still scratching away, writing his letters. Who did he even send them to? How did they get out? She groaned; her whole body hurt, but not as badly as she’d expected. 

“You’re awake,” Madanach said, setting his quill down. 

“Where’s Remi?” Aelyn ran her tongue over her lip, feeling how swollen it felt. 

“I had you brought in here. How’s breathing?” He asked, giving her a critical look. Aelyn took a breath and let it go. 

“Easier than it ought to be.” She said honestly. 

“I had a potion stashed away in here. Should’ve helped the worst of your injuries.” He turned away from her and back to his letter. 

“Why?” Aelyn managed; as much as she wanted to remain sitting and not move, she knew she needed to get to her feet. 

“You talked to Braig?” Madanach asked absently. 

“Yeah.” Aelyn scoffed; look where that had gotten her. 

“Imagine hearing a story like that, over and over. Each time a different family, each time a different injustice.” His quill paused briefly. “My men and I should be in the hills, fighting.”

“Spare me your speeches.” Aelyn spat; how long had she been out? Madanach chuckled. 

“You know, I’m almost beginning to like you.”

“Well, I’ve clearly been doing something wrong then,” Aelyn muttered, and he outright laughed. 

“But you haven’t earned your place out of here yet.” He put down his quill once again and turned to face her fully. “I’m sure you’re familiar with Grisvar the Unlucky by now.” Aelyn’s snarl was response enough, and Madanach smiled. “He’s rightly named. He’s also a thief and snitch. I suspect that’s how you became so well acquainted with the guards.” 

“What do you want, Madanach?” Aelyn leaned back against the rock. 

“A show of loyalty. He’s outlived his minor usefulness. Take care of him, and we can leave Cidnah Mine for good.”

“Leave? How?” Aelyn asked, even as her brow bent, pain seared across her face. She must have looked a mess. 

“Leave that to me.” Madanach watched as Aelyn struggled to her feet. She didn’t like being asked to kill for such a reason. It grated on her morals even if Grisvar more than deserved it.

“Fine.” Aelyn turned and limped out of his cell. Just what was this place turning her into? Someone she didn’t recognize, someone capable of contractual violence, someone desperate. 

Chapter Text

He didn’t like leaving Aelyn alone with Madanach. It was clear, however, he wasn’t allowed in. In a moment quite unlike himself, he conceded with the promise that they’d take care of her. So he sat across from the cell door, guarded by Borkul the Beast, with Remi resting her head on his shoulder. 

She’d been concussed and unable to heal Aelyn. Val wondered if he should have given it a shot. He was no expert, but surely two were better than one. It couldn’t be hard, right? 

His anger simmered, contained by his concern and cold calculation. Aelyn had been a mess when Remi had brought her down. He’d never felt his stomach drop so fast. There was no question that the person responsible was going to die; it was simply a matter of time. Yet there he sat. Waiting. First, he needed to know she was alright. Then he was going to kill the person who did it. If Aelyn could give him a name, it would help things along and save him the trouble of needing to steal a roster. The rotation schedule would be helpful as well. He decided not to use magic to kill them; something slower seemed more appropriate. The grating of the metal on metal as the cell door opened pulled him from his dark fantasy. 

Aelyn was walking on her own two feet toward him, well, limping. She smiled and then winced, her lip still swollen and split. He went to jump up, but Aelyn shook her head, nodding at Remi, who was still resting on his shoulder. He held out his hand to her instead, and she took it, finding a way to sit that didn’t hurt worse than others as he tucked her under his arm. She let out a sigh when she was finally settled. Val still held her hand, his fingers interlaced with hers, his thumb softly running over the back of her hand. 

“Madanach wants me to kill Grisvar.” Aelyn rasped. Her throat was still sore from nearly having her windpipe crushed. She felt Val tense at the sound of her voice, his fingers squeezing hers gently. 

“He has it coming,” Val muttered. She’d never heard him use that particular tone before, something that promised calculated violence. It shouldn’t have surprised her that he’d already worked out the connection. Remi likely gave him a recount of what the guard had said while she had brutalized Aelyn.

“It’s why he wants me to kill him that bothers me.” Aelyn sighed. She might have killed Grisvar anyway, but Madanach wanted a show of loyalty. That bothered her. 

“Our goals are aligning temporarily; it’s nothing more than that,” Val assured her. “Remi said it was a female guard? An Orc? Was she the only one?” He’d let her have Grisvar, but the guard he’d find himself. His tone was neutral, but his questions made Aelyn pause. 

“The most important thing is getting out of here.” She let her head fall to the side, resting on his chest. “I just… I know I’ve taken my share of lives in self-defense when there was no other choice, but murder is something else.” She listened to the steady thump of his heart. The idea of being ordered to kill left a sour taste in her mouth. 

“Aren’t you mad? Grisvar is responsible for what happened.” Val let his hand trace over her shoulder as her fingers slid free from his. 

“Not really. It wasn’t about me.” Aelyn pressed her face closer into his chest as he stiffened. 

It was unnerving how casually she seemed to be taking what had happened. It reminded him of parts of his past he’d rather forget. Those moments seemed to bubble up often inside the mine, like when Borkul had asked him about his first kill. He disliked how easy it was to slide back into who he was before, despite how far they’d come. 

The beating she’d taken seemed to bother her less than having to kill Grisvar. It was easier thinking it wasn’t personal; Val could understand that. The guards were sending a message, and Grisvar had given her up. It didn’t really matter who it was to them in the end; she just happened to be the medium. It was simpler to think of it in that way. Easy. Impersonal. But it wasn’t impersonal for Val. 

“Do you want me to do it?” He asked softly. Aelyn sat up immediately to look him in the eyes. 

“No.” She held his gaze, trying to convey how serious she was, “We may end up in situations where lives have to be taken, but I won’t ever ask you to kill for me like that.” He stared back at her for a moment as her words sank in. Slowly, he reached out to trace her split lip. His touch was featherlight, trailing down her chin and along her jaw before touching the bruise that decorated her neck. 

“Alright.” He nodded, gently tugging her back to him, tucking her under his arm once more. 

After a rest, Remi seemed to be feeling better. She patched Aelyn up a little further, and though the bruising on her ribs stubbornly remained, her lip and eye still swollen, most of her other wounds were healed. Aelyn suspected that Grisvar knew they were going to come for him. She needed to find him alone. She’d wait until everyone was asleep and find him in the upper tunnels. He always had a shiv on him. He’d said himself he had that corner of the market down here. It worked for her; she’d take his shiv while he slept and then finish the job. 

Aelyn clenched her hand to keep it from shaking as she crept through the tunnels. It was alarming how good she was getting at sneaking away from Remi and Val unnoticed. She knew it was going to piss them off, but she didn’t want an audience for what she needed to do. 

She crept along the mine shaft, silent as the night, a shadow in the dark corners and winding passageways, until she found him sleeping, tucked away in a little alcove. Alone. Her heart hammered in her chest, and she swallowed hard. This was it, then. Her stomach turned, the sick feeling returning. There was nothing for it. If she wanted to get them out of the mine, this was the way. He deserved it, didn’t he? She tried unsuccessfully to convince herself. She knew in her heart she had no right to judge whether someone should live or die. 

Aelyn pulled back the threadbare blanket he’d tucked himself under. Grasped in his bony fingers was his shiv. She reached for it, carefully pulling back each digit, but Grisvar refused to relinquish the blade. Each finger she pulled free went back into place as she started on the next. Grisvar shifted in his sleep, and Aelyn froze. What was she going to do if he woke up? He sucked in a breath, and Aelyn’s heart hammered against her chest as his eyes slowly opened. He blinked a her for a moment before understanding snapped into place. 

“You.” He was instantly awake. “You’re here to kill me, aren’t you!” He gripped the shiv, “I’m not going down without a fight!” Grisvar swung wildly, and it was clear he wasn’t much of a fighter, but a man with a knife was still dangerous, even if he didn’t know how to use it, perhaps, especially if he didn’t know how to use it. 

Aelyn scrambled back, narrowly avoiding the shiv. Grisvar came at her again, and she hit his wrist to knock the blade away, but he held fast. He grasped her bad ankle, and Aelyn let out a soft cry of pain as he yanked her toward him, climbing on top of her, the shiv held high to drive it down into her chest. Aelyn reached for something, anything, to stop him, her fingers curling around something hard and heavy – a rock. She used all of her strength and smashed it against his skull, once, twice. Grisvar paused, blood pouring down his face; he dropped the shiv and fell to the side, eyes still wide and his body unmoving. 

Aelyn frantically pulled herself out from under him, drawing her knees up to her chest and breathing heavily. That had not gone as planned. She knew better than to linger. She ran back to the main cavern, unable to get away from the body fast enough. 

It was only a few hours later, after she’d successfully calmed herself and snuggled up to Remi and Val as if nothing had happened, when a call rang out through the mine. Grisvar’s body had been found. 

Chapter Text

The call rang out through the mine. Grisvar’s body had been found. Remi, Val, and Aelyn were on their feet in the next moment. Two prisoners dragged the body into the central cavern. Val shot a look toward Aelyn, but she couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes. 

“You went on your own?” he asked, and Aelyn opened her mouth to respond, but the sound of the cell door opening cut her off. 

“Is it rude to say that Grisvar had it coming?” Remi muttered. “He decided to partner with a group willing to sacrifice innocents for their cause.” Aelyn flinched at her words; she had partnered with those same people to kill Grisvar. 

“Let’s hope Madanach remembers who his friends are next time we’re in one of those Forsworn camps,” Val grumbled. 

The prisoners had gathered, and Madanach stood beside Borkul, the Beast. Men that Aelyn both did and did not recognize gathered. An energy seemed to buzz throughout the crowd. 

“What’s going on, Madanach?” a familiar voice called out. Uraccen stood beside another prisoner, Duach. You wouldn’t have old Grisvar killed unless you weren’t planning on needing him.” Madanach smiled as he met Aelyn’s eyes in the crowd.

“My brothers, we have been here long enough.” His voice echoed through the chamber. “It’s time to leave Cidhna Mine and continue our fight against the Nords. Through this gate, just beside my quarters, is a tunnel. A tunnel that leads right through the old Dwarven ruins of Markarth into the city. Well, what do you say, my brothers?”

Their fists went up in the air, and the prisoners shouted in triumph. They ran through the cell door beside Madanach toward the city and freedom. Madanach found Aelyn in the crowd, forcing its way through the small cell door. 

“‘Our brothers,’ he says." Remi scoffed, "As though brothers regularly murder one another. I supposed I don’t have any brothers to actually verify that claim, though.” Remi mused as the King in Rags approached them. He stopped before the three of them, his gaze scanning Remiel’s face and pausing on Val before settling on Aelyn. 

“Looks like you earned an early pardon." Madanach grinned, "Let’s go. There’s one task left.” His eyes gleamed, and he smiled. He still wanted her to kill Thornar for him. 

“Where did this tunnel come from?” Aelyn asked, doubting it simply appeared out of nowhere. 

“It’s a little gift from the dwarves. Who knew they would end up helping our cause? We have to move. We’ll talk more once we see the sky.” He turned away from her. 

“Ah, I knew that Nchuand-Zel had to have more to it than what we saw. Convenient that we are able to reach this from the mine.” Remi was suddenly bouncing with excitement. Val frowned.

“No weapons? He’s mad, alright." He shook his head disparagingly, "Those men are going to get slaughtered the second they reach the city.” Val laid a hand on Aelyn’s shoulder. “I say we let them go first and sneak out of the city in the chaos.” 

“We have to get to the flat- Val, there’s things we can’t leave behind.” Aelyn leaned in close as she whispered. 

“Into the tunnel, let’s go!” Madanach called from beside the cell door. It seemed they were out of time. Remi went first, eager to see more of the Dwemer ruin beneath the city, while Aelyn paused beside Val.

“Alright, you and Remi, get to the flat and wait there. There’s something I need to handle before we leave Markarth for good.” Val turned her toward the tunnel. “Be smart, don’t be seen, just get there and lay low.”

“What do you—” Aelyn went to ask what sort of business he could possibly have, but he shoved her through the cell door and did not follow. “Val?” Aelyn turned, but Madanach was pushing her down the tunnel. “Val!”

“Don’t worry. I’ll see you soon.” He grinned as he called after her. 

He watched as she disappeared from view, more than ready for the task ahead of him. Val turned from the cell door toward the ramp leading to the mine entrance. He waited just below the landing until all prisoners were out before running up to the entrance and rattling the bars. 

“Help! Help! There’s been an escape!” He yelled in a panic. Three guards stood just beyond a second set of doors. Two Nords and… A female Orc. 

“Shut up. No one escapes; there’s only one way outta here.” One of the Nords laughed. 

“No, there was an opening in the rock, through the ruins under the city!” he explained. The guards all looked at one another and stood up. 

“Wait!” The other Nord grabbed the first’s shoulder, “You don’t really think-”

“Well, if he’s lying, we can just kill him.” The Orc laughed.

“You’ve had your share of blood this week, haven’t you?” One of the Nords scoffed, and Val knew he had the right Orc. “Alright, prisoner, back up – we’re coming in. No funny business.”

Val backed up about ten paces and waited for the guards to open the lock. He’d need to disable the two Nords first so that he would be able to take his time with the Orc. The door swung open, and the three of them strode in. Ten paces wasn’t nearly enough to keep them safe. 

Val let off a crack of lightning so intense that the armor of the first Nord melted on contact. The second Nord turned toward him with his sword drawn. As the man swung down with his blade, Val stepped to the side and into him, gripping his throat and letting a charge of lighting rocket through the guard. The man’s mouth frothed as his eyes rolled back and his skin blistered. 

He’d lost sight of the Orc in the fraction of a second it took to focus his magicka and kill the two Nords. She’d turned and moved behind him, striking him in the back with the hilt of her sword, knocking him to the ground. He rolled just in time to receive a swift kick to the ribs. Instead of fighting the blow and curling around it, he rolled with its force, finding his feet under him once more. 

“Oh, poor little man, what were you thinking? Unarmed against three guards? I bet you’re running a little dry on magicka after two shots like that.” She sneered, prowling closer. 

“Jealous? I promise I’ve got more than two shots,” Val smirked. “I just wanted to make sure we got some alone time.”

“Hope you last a little longer this round.” The Orc lunged, and Val feinted to the right, grabbing the sword of one of the felled Nords as he rolled left. 

“I assure you, I intend to take my time.” He snarled as she struck at him again; this time, he blocked with the stolen sword. 

“Lucky me.” She laughed, and Val threw his shoulder into her, knocking her to the ground. He wasn’t sure how long the others would take to get through the tunnel and into the city, but he assumed he had a little time. He paced, waiting for the Orc to get up. She was slow, powerful, but slow. The idea of this person beating Aelyn within an inch of her life set his blood on fire. 

“Luck? No, that’s where you’re wrong. You earned this.” He kicked her down again just as she got to her feet. “A little Breton girl just the other day?” The Orc sat back for a moment, thinking, and then started to laugh when the realization dawned on her. 

“Oh, right, the one with pretty eyes. I thought she’d scream more; I was disappointed.” She was ready this time, springing clumsily from the ground, nearly catching Val with her blade. 

Val took the opening in her missed strike and drove his sword into her leg. The Orc let out a yell of pain and rage as he stepped back. He was in a place beyond anger as he drove his blade into her other leg, and she fell to the ground once more. She swung at him sloppily, and he knocked the blade from her hand. 

“You’re going to fight me while I’m unarmed? Coward.” The Orc spat, and Val almost laughed. 

“I wasn’t armed earlier. My friend wasn’t armed when you beat her.” Val held the sword to her throat, “You may have thought this was about me escaping. I assure you, that’s not the case.”

The Orc grabbed the sword, nicking her throat as Val struggled with her. Blood poured from the wound, but it wasn’t enough to kill her. She rolled them, raising the blade up to drive it down into Val’s shoulder when he reached – like reaching for something in a pocket, past the veil of Mundus into Oblivion and pulled forth a shimmering dagger from the next plane, blocking the blow. 

The sword flew out of her hand once more, and Val sank the dagger in the seam of her half plate, where the front and back pieces didn’t quite meet, and into her ribs. It was a killing blow, but it would take time. He stabbed her again and rolled them so that he was on top. The Orc coughed, and blood spattered her lips as Val gathered her hands above her head, laying one over the other and tacking them to the ground with the dagger. She cried out, coughing and choking on her own blood.

“Please—” The Orc began to beg, finally realizing that this was retribution, and she was already dead. 

He pulled back his fist, intent on giving her as good as she had given Aelyn and then some before she died. He struck the Orc over and over with his fists; she cried out at first. Each strike was filled with rage; he pummeled her until his knuckles split and bled and then kept going. Her screams eventually stopped, and there was only the sound of his fist hitting wet flesh. The Orc had long since stopped moving, her face unrecognizable before he came to his senses. 

As Val finally stood up, his arms aching, he realized he’d spent too long killing the guards. He still had one task left to do in order to make sure Aelyn and Remi got out safely before he went to find them. Val ran toward the mouth of the mine, he needed to move quickly to create a distraction and disable the Silver-Bloods from seeking revenge any time soon. 

There were barrels of blasting powder near the entrance. Val carefully rolled them onto their sides and, one by one, quickly and gently positioned them near the mine shaft’s support beams. The last of them, he cracked open just a little to lead a trail of powder toward the entrance. Shouts erupted from the streets near the Keep. They had made it then. Everything was set. He let a spark fly from his hand to ignite it and turned to run.

Chapter Text

The passage through the ruins had led them to a large door, where a Forsworn agent was waiting for them. The prisoners gathered near the exit, waiting for Madanach. The Forsworn agent was dressed in the furs and bones that Forsworn typically wore, her face and arms painted with the blue symbols that identified all of her kin. Madanach walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her. 

“Kaie, all grown up.” He smiled at her.

“Madanach. I’ve brought what you asked for.” Kaie gestured to the trunks near the door. How she’d managed to bring them all in was a wonder. They were full of weapons and discarded pieces of armor for the prisoners. 

“Good work.” Madanach nodded, “Get ready while I have a word with our favorite outsider.” He turned to Aelyn and Remiel. “I had Kaie recover all the things the Nords stole from you.” He walked them over to a trunk placed a bit away from the doors, set aside from the rest. “You better get ready before we break out into the city. And take this.” He passed a piece of fur into Aelyn’s hands; no, it was the Forsworn’s armor. “It’s blessed with the old magicks. Something to remember me by. Time to finally see the sky and make it rain red.”

“What happens now?” Aelyn asked Madanach as Remi began sorting through their belongings frantically. 

“Now? I announce to all of Markarth that I have returned.” His eyes sparked with determination. “Don’t worry about your name. They’ll know who to blame and fear after today. It’ll take years, but I’ll organize the Forsworn again. We’ll reclaim our land, and then, when power is ours, we’ll have peace. A kingdom. Until then, let me offer you a warning.” He laid a hand on her shoulder. “Beware the Forsworn. No place in the Reach is safe from us now.”

“Scrap!” Remi cried, pulling the little dwarven spider from the trunk. “Oh Scrap, I’m so glad you’re safe!” The little automaton’s top whirred and spun in response, and Remi smiled. 

Aelyn dug through the chest beside Remi, finding her pack and clothes and packing Val’s effects into her bag. She slung his sword belt across her chest to keep it out of the way and she held his crossbow at the ready.

The doors of the ruin swung open, and the prisoners poured out into the city. They did not get far; standing at the intersection of roads was none other than Thonar Silver-Blood and a detachment of guards. Aelyn had seen Thonar from a distance a few times, though never up close.

“Madanach!” Thonar cried with a blade in his hand. “Think you can escape my prison, do you? You’ll pay for what you’ve done to my family!” Madanach strode to the front of the crowd, Aelyn behind him. “You killed my wife!”

“Your family? You’ve poisoned the Reach with your tainted silver for long enough, Thonar.” Madanach spat and raised his blade, “The Reach belongs to the Forsworn!” 

The crowd of prisoners echoed him, rushing forward to engage with the guards just as a loud blast shook the city. A great rumbling made the stones beneath their feet tremble, and dust and debris shot through the streets, blinding everyone. 

“Remi!” Aelyn cried out for her friend; the sounds of swords clashing and men dying rang out in the cloud of dust around her.

“Aelyn!” Remi called back from somewhere nearby; she could hear the small tinker-tack of Scrap’s legs against the stone.

Just as Aelyn moved to follow the sound, someone crashed into her, and she fell to the ground on her hands and knees over a dead Forsworn who stared up at her, unblinking. She jumped up, her heart hammering, blindly searching for Remiel again; she couldn’t leave without her. Aelyn could scarcely see more than five feet in front of her. She heard Remi scream, and Aelyn frantically followed the sound, only to find Thonar and Madanach. Remi ran from beside Madanach toward Aelyn, Scrap on her heels as Thonar struck out. Time slowed. Scrap reared up, his little gyro whirring in alarm.

The cruel flash of Thonar’s blade as Remi ran between the two, the sound of it sinking into her flesh, and the rage that instantly turned Aelyn’s vision white seemed to happen over eons rather than a fraction of a second. Remi stumbled and fell, and Thonar began screaming; even Madanach paused as Thonar ignited in flames before him. The stone beneath him turned to glass as a pyre shot upwards toward the sky in an uncontrolled inferno. 

“Aelyn-” Remi cried, gripping the wound in her side as her blood splattered across the ground. Madanach stood back, eyes wide, staring at the column of fire. It shifted and then disappeared. 

 The brand on Aelyn’s arm burned intensely, causing her to cry out in pain and cut her fury-fueled rampage short. For the first time, she found herself grateful for the brand. Aelyn blinked, shaking her head before she ran to Remi. Aelyn took Remi’s arm and slung it about her shoulders to help her walk as Remi whimpered in pain.

“Scrap. Help us get home,” Aelyn ordered as she tried to move Remi. The little spider perked up, and then its gyro began glowing faintly, just enough for them to follow through the dust toward the flat. 

“Draig daighre...” Madanach muttered, staring in awe at the place where Thonar had stood. His gaze swung to where Aelyn had been, but she had already disappeared into the dust clouds with Remiel. 

Aelyn and Remi carefully descended toward the flat near the Warrens, following Scrap. Remi’s breath was growing more ragged by the moment. Aelyn wanted to run, but Remi’s wound would only worsen. 

“Ugh, I’m going to die, aren’t I?” Remi moaned as Aelyn guided her down the steps. 

“No, no, you’re not. It would take days to die from that.” Aelyn assured her, “It just hurts a lot.”

“How does anyone live through this? Gods, it hurts!” Remi sobbed. 

Aelyn leaned Remi against the stone beside the front door as she picked the lock to the flat. The guards had turned the place over; books and papers littered the hall as they entered. Scrap scurried in, waiting for the two girls to follow. Aelyn frowned, getting Remi to the sofa before the hearth and dropping their packs beside it as Scrap tilted one way, then another in concern. Aelyn ran toward Remiel’s lab, hoping the healing potions that Remi kept on hand for any unexpected ‘results’ hadn’t been pillaged. 

Thankfully, the box had been hidden under Remi’s last experiments, tucked away in a corner of the lab. Aelyn pulled out three potions to be sure she had enough and raced back to her friend. 

She sat Remi up, even as she protested, and poured the potion down her throat. It took effect immediately. Remi coughed and sputtered before her breathing evened out, and the bleeding halted altogether. Aelyn’s hand began to shake as the weight of what had happened crushed her. She gave Remi a second potion before letting her friend rest as Scrap curled his legs under himself and waited patiently for Remi beside the sofa. With the wound healed, she set about grabbing their most important effects.

They wouldn’t be able to return to Markarth for some time. Aelyn knew she would need to coordinate with Avram to have the rest of their belongings moved to Solitude. That was for another time; currently, she needed to expedite their escape. 

She had just begun to worry about where Val was when she heard the front door open. A crack of fear shot through her; she’d forgotten to lock it after getting Remiel inside. Aelyn gripped the hilt of her dagger and ran to the entrance, only to find Val standing in the open doorway, still in his prison clothes. 

“Val?!” Aelyn nearly cried as he shut the door behind him, she ran to him, throwing her arms around him. He patted her back gently before pushing her back, and the sight of him sent a wave of dread through her; he was covered in blood and dirt. 

“Don’t worry, it’s not mine.” He turned and bolted the door shut, “Whose blood is on the floor? Are you hurt?”

“Remi, she got stuck by one of the guards.” Aelyn’s vision began to blur, but she could still see how Val blanched and quickly added, “It’s alright; there was still a stash of healing potions in the back.”  The relief that the three of them had made it to the flat made her legs feel weak and her eyes water. Val let out a breath of relief and sagged against the door. 

“Alright, we don’t have much time.” He said after a moment. “I guess the good news is the surviving Silver-Bloods will blame everything on the Forsworn, and we can go about our business. Even still, I think reducing our presence in Markarth might be for best.”

“Agreed. Oh, Madanach had retrieved our things for us – here.” Aelyn went to the sofa, where Remi was fading in and out of consciousness as the healing potion continued to work. She grabbed her pack and pulled Val’s effects out. He grinned. 

“Thanks for getting my gear. I can get by without it, of course, but I’d rather do my thing in style.” He smiled fondly at the vanilla and sapphire leather as he pulled out his coat. “Let me get this blood off of me, and we can get going.” He made for the bath in quick strides.

Remiel groaned awake, the pain in her side gone. She sighed in relief. She barely remembered how they had even gotten to the flat. Remi sat up, seeing her tunic drenched in blood, as Scrap hopped up on his legs. 

“Oh Scrap, you’re a hero. You got us here!” She patted the little automaton affectionately. 

“Remi?” Aelyn called, hearing her friend’s voice. 

“I’m okay!” Remi stood up and followed Aelyn’s voice to her room, feeling better by the moment.

“We need to get out of here before the dust settles; grab only what you need immediately. I will write to Avram to collect our things later.” Aelyn paused, her hand hovering over a black book. She scooped it up quickly and stuffed it in the bottom of her pack. 

“Are we not returning?” Remi sounded sad. 

“I think it would be best if we left.” Aelyn stood up to face her, and Remi nodded somberly. 

They were in too much of a hurry to give in to nostalgia. But each felt the pang of loss in their hearts as they readied to leave the small flat behind. It had been their home for years. Aelyn had purchased the place when she began working for Calcelmo, and later, Remiel had moved in. The walls held so many memories, both happy and sad. Aelyn gently touched the door frame of her room as she passed through it, wondering if, perhaps someday, they would return, knowing it was unlikely. 

Home wasn’t somewhere she could return to; Aelyn knew that. Once left behind, it lived only in memories. A place changed after it was left, never returning to the state it was before, always different from how it had been. She looked up as Val crossed the hall dressed in his travel clothes, and Remi scurried toward the front door with Scrap on her heels. They were ready to leave. Aelyn smiled. Rather than a place to return, she wondered if Home was, instead, something that she carried with her. 

Chapter Text

The sun always seemed to set quickly in the Reach. It fell behind the tall and jagged mountains as they walked the road nestled in the valley, following the river much of the way. 

“The Forsworn ravaged Markarth because we helped them escape.” Remi adjusted her pack, “I struggle to feel bad, though, as its citizens wrongfully locked us up.”

“I don’t think blaming the whole of Markarth is really the logical thing to do here.” Aelyn eyed the lengthening shadows with concern. “Madanach just believes he’s doing what’s best for his people.”

“Oh? That’s the excuse of every tyrant in history.” Remi scoffed.

“Besides, plenty of good people live in Markarth,” Aelyn argued back. 

“Really? Name one.” Remi challenged, and Aeyln thought for a moment. 

“Cosnach was always fun, but I don’t know that I’d call him ‘good’ and that one shopkeeper turned out to be a cannibal.” Aelyn stretched. 

“You’re proving my point,” Remi said as she yawned.

“Cannibal? I’m sorry, what?” Val interrupted. 

“It’s a long story.” Aelyn dismissed the question, “We should probably look for a spot to camp. Val, could you give me a hand?” At this, Val burst out laughing. 

“Yeah, I don’t think so. Look, here’s ten gold; let’s get a nice room at an inn.” He pressed the septims into Aelyn’s palm as she frowned. 

“Do you see an inn anywhere near here?” She pushed the gold back to him. “Unless you’re keen on breaking an ankle trying to find one in the dark? If I recall, it went really well for everyone the last time we decided to hike through the Reach at night.”

“I hate camping,” Val said slowly.

“Last time? When Aelyn set half a mountain on fire and got shot?” Remi recalled.

“Alright, the sarcasm wasn’t necessary…” Val pouted. 

“You started it.” Aelyn found a flat spot just off the road and hidden from view. 

She laid out her sleeping roll and began to set up their campfire while Remi and Scap found dinner. Val sat on a nearby log, watching the process. 

“What, no tent?” He scoffed. 

“It’s a nice out; you shouldn’t need one tonight.” Aelyn continued collecting small branches and leaves for the fire. 

“What are we going to eat?” He asked. 

“I’m not sure, whatever Remi and Scrap find.” She grunted, lifting a larger rock and placing it in the center of the camp. 

“What about the bugs?” Val earned a strange look from Aelyn. “What?”

“Seriously? Are you just in the mood to complain or something?” She paused, her striking stone in hand. 

“Yes.” He answered honestly, and she tried not to laugh. 

“Right, well, I imagine you haven’t had to camp out very often.” Aelyn began to strike the stone with her knife, shooting tiny embers into a pile of dry leaves that she’d set atop the large stone. 

“I was the captain of a ship.” Val reminded her. 

“I’m aware.” Aelyn’s eyes lit up as one of the embers caught, and the leaves began to smoke.

“I don’t camp.” He clarified as Aelyn began feeding the smallest twigs to the fire. 

“Don’t worry, Val, I’ll keep you safe.” She grinned; his surliness might have been annoying if it hadn’t been so endearing. 

“I’m so assured.” Val rolled his eyes. “What are you smirking for?” 

“You’re adorab-” Aelyn snapped her mouth shut. She stood up quickly, wiping the soot on her trousers. The last thing she needed to tell him was how charming she found him. 

“I’m what?” His mood suddenly lifted. 

“Nothing, forget it.” She cleared her throat, moving past him to gather some larger pieces of brush for the fire later on when he gripped her hand. 

“You think I’m adorable? Is that what you were about to say?” He grinned, pulling her into his lap, admiring the blush creeping up her neck.

“Sometimes.” She looked away pointedly. “You can be.”

“Like when?” He asked, gripping her hip, letting his breath feather over her ear. 

“Val.” Aeyln crossed her arms over her chest. Remi could return anytime, and she hadn’t had a chance to explain her and Val’s—whatever they were to each other. 

“When am I adorable?” He repeated, letting his lip drag along her ear before nipping the angled tip. Aelyn squirmed, letting out a soft yelp of surprise as she found herself clinging to his jacket. 

“When you’re pouting.” She pulled back from him momentarily, “And when you’re talking about things you’re interested in.”

“Well, I’m interested in you right now,” He purred, pulling her closer again. Aelyn pushed away once more to look him in the eyes. 

“I mean, like when you’ve found a book you like, or you learn about a new artifact,” Aelyn explained, “When you talk about sailing.” It was Val’s turn to blush. He wasn’t sure what answer he’d been expecting, but that wasn’t it. His chest felt strange, warm, and yet constricted. He didn’t have the words for the strange feeling coming over him, but he could tell he liked it. 

She had little warning when his lips crashed against hers. He kissed her so suddenly that she could barely reciprocate as he slanted his mouth against hers, seeking more. How could such soft lips be so demanding? Aelyn submitted to them as he pressed her down, slowly cradling her in his lap. She gripped his collar, holding tight as he pressed his tongue into her mouth and banished any rational thought from her mind. Something in his kiss always seemed to push her to the edge of Oblivion, a consuming, encompassing sense of passion that she craved, and yet that wasn’t all of it. A part unknown to her lingered just beyond her understanding as if he was trying to communicate something in a language she didn’t speak. 

“No, Scrap-” Remi’s voice sounded from nearby, and Aelyn jumped out of Val’s lap so quickly that she ended up on the ground. “Oh! You got the fire going!” Remi smiled, emerging from the trees nearby and seeing the fire crackling cheerily as Aelyn tried to calm herself. Scrap’s gyro whirred as he tilted at Aelyn and Val.

“We sure did.” Val quipped, tugging on a lock of Aelyn’s hair as he said so. Aelyn cleared her throat and got up to feed more fuel to the fire. 

“We should reach Falkreath pretty early tomorrow.” Aelyn changed the subject, “I don’t expect returning the Skeleton Key to be easy.”

 “Aelyn, you look flushed. Are you feeling alright?” Remi set down a collection of berries and small fish. “If you’re under the weather, I have a few healing potions stashed in my pack.”

“I’m fine. Fire’s just warm.” Aelyn said quickly over the sound of Val chuckling.

“Right. How do we even know where the Sepulchur is, anyway?” Remi asked, and Aelyn suddenly realized no one had told her where the place was. 

“I’m not sure. I just-” She felt in her pocket for the key, and a strange buzzing sensation filled her. “It’s like the key knows where to go.”

“That’s not creepy at all,” Remi muttered sarcastically. 

They each had snuggled into their bedrolls, warm and content by the fire. The Reach was calm for a night, and the sounds of crickets chirping lulled them to sleep. Yet, Aelyn found herself in a dust cloud, hearing Remi calling for her. A sense of deja vu washed over her as she realized she was in Markarth. Her heart raced, fearing the next moments as she ran forward to see Remiel once again dashing between Madanach and Thonar as a blade cut into her side. Her blood splattered on the ground; Remi gripped her side, staring at Aelyn in shock, tears streaming down her face as she fell to her knees. Aelyn rushed forward as Remiel called to her and then crumpled to the ground. Aelyn turned her over, laying Remi on her back. Remi stared up at the sky, eyes unblinking like the Forsworn she’d tripped over. 

“No, no- Remi, wake up. Remi, please wake up!” Aelyn cried, clutching her friend’s lifeless body to her; panic and loss ate at her. She felt sick, her mind foggy, unable to think of what she should do. Aelyn pulled back, cradling Remi’s head to see her face once more, and suddenly it was Val she was holding, his lips blue, his eyes closed. She pulled her hand away to see it covered in crimson.

Aelyn jolted awake, gasping for air. The crickets had long since ceased their singing, and the chill night air had crept in, leaving her nose cold and ears cold. With all that had happened, a nightmare wasn’t out of place, but it had felt so real. She sat up, staring at Remi’s sleeping form across the fire, watching the rise and fall of her chest and listening to Val snoring lightly. They were breathing, Aelyn assured herself, and it had been nothing but a nightmare. They were all alive and sleeping soundly. She laid back down, her heart still pounding in her chest, and stared up at the stars above them. Aelyn wasn’t one for faith in the divines, but she found herself sending up a silent prayer, just in case. 

The next morning, as Aelyn had said, they entered Falkreath. The deep, lush forests of the hold made it nearly impossible to tell which direction they were moving in. The thick undergrowth hid even the most established footpaths through the trees. Aelyn felt the key’s pull, tugging them toward their destination, but the return journey worried her. 

“What do you think we’ll find there?” Remi mused. 

“I’m not sure. Karliah had said I would need to follow ‘The Pilgrim’s Path,’ so likely a test of Nocturnal’s tenets.” Aelyn tried to step over a particularly high patch of brush and found her foot caught. 

“Just be careful; Nocturnal’s already got her hooks in you,” Val said as he lifted Aelyn over the bramble. 

“I have a plan,” Aelyn announced proudly. 

“Oh?” Val’s eyebrows raised. “What plan is that?” 

“What is that saying? Never parley on the backfoot?” She mused with a grin. 

As they crested the next small hill, passing between two prominent ridges of rock, the ground flattened and cleared. There were a few trees, but the ground was covered in a soft moss carpet. A brook tumbled into a little pond of cool, clear water, and just the other side sat a set of ancient-looking doors mounted in the stone face of the opposing ridge, boxing them in. The key in Aelyn’s pocket pulsed as if with excitement as she approached the doors. 

They swung open, eerie shadows clinging to the tunnel beyond. Aelyn looked between Remi and Val and stepped over the threshold. The doors immediately slammed shut behind her. Aelyn turned quickly to pull on them, but there were no handles, and the surface was polished with no holds. The faintest buzz of magic laced the surfaces. 

“Val?! Remi!” She called out to her friends, but only silence responded. “Right. Alone then.” Aelyn muttered, feeling suddenly less confident about her situation. 

Chapter Text

The sound of her own feet crunching in the gravel echoed strangely down the tunnel. It carried farther than she would have liked. The shadows clung to each crevice and crack in the earth around her; this place felt occupied. Aelyn was rather sick of being underground and eager to have this task behind her and so picked up her pace at the risk of announcing her arrival to unseen foes. The tunnel opened up before her into a grand cavern; a wide walkway lined with ethereal purple flamed braziers led up to a set of open stairs. The entrance to the Sepulchur, no doubt. The space was large but relatively plain, lacking in the ornate adornments a temple of the same size would typically boast. Nocturnal was not one for such ornamentation, Aelyn assumed. 

As she approached the stairs, a flickering form began to take shape. The person’s outline was distorted as if wearing a Nightingale cloak; the body seemed to be formed of shadow, and the face was obscured. 

“I don’t recognize you, but I sense that you’re one of us. Who are you?” The shadow called out with the voice of a man with an Imperial accent.

“I’d ask the same question of you,” Aelyn called back, keeping a safe distance. 

“The last of the Nightingale Sentinels, I’m afraid.” The form hung its head in defeat, “I’ve defended the Sepulcher alone for what seems like an eternity.”

“The last? What happened to the rest?” She began to approach carefully.

“We were betrayed by one of our own kind. In fact, I’m to blame for what’s happened here.” The shadow mourned, and it was clear that he meant no harm to her at the moment. 

“How are you to blame?” Aelyn asked, watching the Shade carefully. 

“I was blinded.” It sighed, “Blinded by dark treachery masquerading as friendship. Perhaps if I had been more vigilant, then Mercer Frey wouldn’t have lured me to my fate and stolen the Skeleton Key.” Aelyn was taken aback by the mention of Mercer Frey, and suddenly, it clicked in her mind who she was speaking to.

“Wait a moment... You’re Gallus!” She exclaimed.

“I haven’t heard that name in a long time. How do you know of me?” Gallus’s Shade took a small step back in surprise.

“I have the Key.” She pulled the Skeleton Key from her pocket and showed it to Gallus.

“The Key! You have the Skeleton Key!” He cried out, “I never thought I’d see it again. And Mercer Frey?”

“Dead,” Aelyn confirmed.

“Then... it’s over, and my death wasn’t in vain. I owe you a great deal, Nightingale.”

“Karliah helped me.” She added; it seemed only right to let Gallus know his lover was still alive and well. 

“Karliah... she’s still alive?” Gallus’s shoulders sagged, and his chest expanded with relief. “I feared she’d befallen the same fate, ending up as a victim of Mercer’s betrayal.”

“Right, then take the key, and we can be done with this at last.” Aelyn tried to push the Key toward Gallus, but he stepped away from her. 

“Nothing would bring me more pride than to return the Key, but I’m afraid it’s impossible.” He shook his head sadly, “From the moment I arrived here, I’ve felt myself... well... dying.”

“How can a spirit die?”

“The Sepulcher isn’t merely a temple or a vault to house the Key.” He explained, “Within these walls is the Ebonmere... a conduit to Nocturnal’s realm of Evergloam. When Mercer stole the Key, that conduit closed, severely limiting our ties to her.” The full weight of Mercer’s crime, not just against the Guild but against Nocturnal, fell upon her. “I’m weakening, and I can feel myself slipping away. The years without restoration of my power have taken their toll. Whatever damage has been caused can only be corrected by following the Pilgrim’s Path to the Ebonmere and replacing the Key.” Galluse gestured up the stairs toward a dark pathway carved into the stone. “The Ebonmere is a conduit through which Nocturnal influences our world.”

“Any advice for getting through the Pilgrim’s Path?” Aelyn smiled weakly. It was never easy, never straightforward. One problem solved only ever seemed to lead her to three more.

“I wish I could help you, but I’ve been a prisoner in this very chamber for the last quarter century.” Gallus sighed with regret. “But beware the other Sentinels; with the Ebonmere closed and their sudden severance from the realm of Evergloam, I fear they’ve undergone a drastic change. They’re shadows of their former selves. They no longer remember their true purpose or their original identities.”

“Sounds like a great time,” Aelyn grumbled, shoving the Skeleton Key back into her pocket. “Looks like I’m off to find the Ebonmere.” She waved to Gallus as she ascended the stairs, stopping briefly at the entrance to the temple to dig the Nightingale cloak out of her pack. If nothing else, perhaps she could sneak past the deranged Sentinels within. 

The overwhelming silence of the temple unnerved her as she crept along the hall and deeper into the ruin. She was trapped inside until the Skeleton Key was returned, Nocturnal’s influence no doubt, or perhaps the Key’s. It seemed almost to have a will of its own as it pulsed inside her pocket like a heart fluttering with excitement. The hall turned abruptly, forcing her into a large room where a staircase led down into an open gallery. A likeness of Nocturnal dominated the space, and just behind it, Aelyn could spy her path forward. 

It was the shadow, pacing back and forth at the foot of the steps, that gave her pause. A narrow walkway lined the upper hall, around the stairs leading downward. Aelyn wondered if she could simply drop down beside the statue and creep past. The moment she stepped into the open space, the Shade paused, an echoing voice calling out to her. 

“Does one of the living walk among the dead?” The sound was distorted, like someone speaking through a door. 

Aelyn plastered herself against the wall; she had little desire to fight a shadow. She worried the sound of her heart beating into the silence might give her away as the Shade stood alert for another moment. It turned and continued on its way as she sagged in relief. Slowly, cautiously, Aelyn crept along the ledge toward the side of the gallery below. The Shade passed, and she waited until its back was turned to attempt lowering herself to the floor. She gripped the ledge and quickly dropped down to the ground below with a soft scuff against the stone. It was more than enough; the Shade turned, spying on her instantly, and rushed forward with a shadowed blade in hand. Aelyn yelped, ducking the blow. 

“Mortal fool! No one hides from the dead!” Its voice echoed with that same muffled quality as before. 

It struck again, and Aelyn fell, rolling away from the blade as the Shade continued to advance on her. She scrambled to pull out her dagger as it loomed over her. The Shade thrust its blade forward as Aelyn grasped the hilt of her dagger, the Shade’s sword biting into the meat of her shoulder as she buried her dagger in its stomach. The Shade went still as if surprised, and Aelyn trembled, hoping shadows could be stabbed. 

“Rest at last,” it whispered. As its form faded, Aelyn exhaled, the searing pain in her shoulder making itself known. 

Aelyn got to her feet with a grimace. Hopefully, there weren’t too many more acrobatics needed to get through the temple in one piece. She tore off a piece of her undershirt and wrapped her shoulder before pulling the Nightingale cloak about her once more. 

Beyond the statue of Nocturnal, Aelyn followed the small hallway up a short flight of stairs and into a burial chamber. Atop the stairs that led up into the crypt, another Sentinel waited. She wasn’t taking any chances this time. Aelyn rushed the Shade; it cried out in surprise, dodging her first attack. Aelyn stumbled forward, missing entirely, as the Shade swung around, blade at the ready to strike her down. Momentum drove her forward as she turned on her toes to evade the Shade’s attack. Aelyn toppled over, slamming into the wall, and ancient remains of Nightingales past toppled from their resting places. The Shade was on her in the next second; Aelyn brought up her knees and launched the shadow off of her as she found her footing once more. She charged the Shade again, this time expecting it to dodge as she feinted to one side, turning, driving her blade up into the Shade’s ribs from behind. She pulled her blade free and watched the shadow fade, a sense of relief flooding her. 

Aelyn looked up ahead at a set of large double doors. There was another path to the left, but she felt the pull of the Key guiding her along. She pulled open the large doors to find a strange open space. It was shrouded in darkness, with a few burning braziers marking the way across the space between raised platforms. No, it was more like an obstacle course, Aelyn observed, spotting the rope bridges leading from one raised platform to another, high above the lit path. 

It was a test. The lit path was a trick. Aelyn inched along, clinging to the shadows and moving in the darkened spaces between the lit sconces. She found a set of stairs leading up to the top of a platform, high above the lit path, and finally had a view of the area. She could see the intended path; much of it was shrouded in impenetrable darkness. Across the rope bridge, down another platform, then across and up a large set of stairs to a foreboding pair of doors. As she moved to cross the platform, she felt her foot snag – a trip wire. It snapped, and Aelyn instinctively threw herself to the ground as darts exploded from the darkness before her, whistling over her head. 

Of course, the path was trapped. What should she have expected? She lay flat against the ground for a moment, waiting to make sure all the darts were done firing before getting to her feet. Aelyn followed the shadowed path, finding three more tripwires along the way. It was getting to the point of annoyance by the time she made her way up the stairs to the large doors on the other side. She could feel the Key buzzing in her pocket as she pushed open the doors. It was another crypt; rows of the dead lined the halls. She could feel she was getting close to the Sepulchre; an energy in the air was leading her deeper into the ruin.

 Aelyn followed the path before her; there were other turns, but the pull of the Key was hard to ignore. She found herself before another likeness of Nocturnal, standing between two burning sconces. It was a dead end. She glanced around for a lever or something to indicate that there might be another way but saw only the pull chains to douse the burning sconces. 

Aelyn backed up a few paces and gazed up at the visage of Nocturnal. On a random impulse, she pulled the chains beside each sconce and waited. At first, there was no movement, but then, a great scraping of stone on stone; dust fell from the ceiling as the walls rumbled—a passage behind the statue, much like the one in the first room revealed itself. Tentatively, Aelyn stepped inside the small tunnel. 

She followed it for what seemed like an age before stopping before another smaller door. She heard the mechanism click as she pulled the rusted handle. The door swung open, and Aelyn jumped back just as a large battering ram swung down and out before retracting to its place with a click. She peered into the darkness beyond the door; the pull was stronger than ever, and she was sure this was the way forward. Stepping lightly, she hopped through the door to the hallway beyond, only to find herself at a dead end once more. The hall had turned abruptly at the end, and an open doorway led directly to a fifteen-foot drop down into a pit with no way out. The Key pulsed stronger than ever and Aelyn frowned. Perhaps the Key did have a will of its own and wanted her to die down there. She hesitated, knowing there was no way back if she jumped down. 

But if this was her only way to Nocturnal- perhaps it was worth the risk. If she didn’t bargain with the Daedric prince, she’d be tied to them for an eternity. She shut her eyes and jumped. 

The Key stopped pulsing altogether. The air was still, and Aelyn’s only company was the remains of some other poor soul who had also jumped down into the dark. Her heart began to race; what had she done? No one was coming for her; the doors were spelled shut at the entrance! 

Then, a deep thrumming filled the air, and a pulse seemed to radiate from within her. The buzzing sensation she’d felt from the Key earlier ran along her skin, in her veins, her heart beating in time with the thrumming in the air. She felt strange as if the Key was affecting her somehow, when the floor of the pit gave out, and a yawning darkness opened up beneath her feet. Aelyn fell into it, pulled down into the depths of the shadows, where she could only scream in terror. 

Chapter Text

“My, my. What do we have here?” 

Aelyn’s eyes snapped open. She recognized that voice. Nocturnal. She found herself on her hands and knees in a circular room, a large fountain in the center – only instead of water, it was filled with a strange purple glowing substance. The Ebonmere, the portal between Nocturnal’s plane of Oblivion and Mundus. 

“It’s been a number of years since I’ve set foot on your world. Or perhaps it’s been moments. One tends to lose track.” Nocturnal continued as Aelyn got to her feet and laid eyes on the Daedra for the first time. She was stunning, as one would assume a Daedric Prince would be. Her raven locks fell about her shoulders, almost as dark as her eyes. Her skin was pearlescent hue, stained with a rosy warmth. 

It was a lie. The deceit rolled off her form in waves. Her skin was too flawless, her eyes too dark, her hair too perfect. All of it was too perfect, and Aelyn found herself wondering what Nocturnal really looked like. All the statues she’d seen reflect her current form, but she knew, better than she knew her own name, that it was a lie. 

“So... once again, the Key has been stolen, and a “champion” returns it to the Sepulcher.” Nocturnal continued, floating just above the fountains of the Ebonmere. “Now that Ebonmere has been restored, you stand before me awaiting your accolades, a pat on your head... a kiss on your cheek. What you fail to realize is your actions were expected and represent nothing more than the fulfillment of your agreement.” 

“That’s where you’re mistaken.” Aelyn interrupted her, the Skeleton Key still in her grip. 

“I beg your pardon? You’re mine already.” Nocturnal laughed, amused by Aelyn’s illusion of freedom. 

“No. It’s not. You see, you failed to uphold your end of the bargain, and the Key is still in my hands.” Aelyn’s heart raced; she wasn’t sure what the Daedra was capable of, still mostly cut off from Mundus. 

“How dare you defy me.” Nocturnal seemed to grow in size, dominating the space. The walls shook, and Aelyn cowered, but nothing happened. 

“Your influence on the mortal world is still in my hands, and you should know one thing – I would die down here still holding the key before I served you in eternity.” Aelyn was resolute. Nothing could be worse than her eternal soul left to shadow forever more. Her heart would break, and she would never see her friends again, but she could have hope that one day she would find them in Aetherius, so long as her soul was free. Yet Nocturnal laughed at her words. 

“Fine. What are your terms.” Nocturnal returned to her normal shape, “You say I did not hold up my end of the bargain?”

“You promised us the power to defeat Mercer Frey in return for our souls. You couldn’t grant anything because the Ebonmere was closed. We killed Mercer without your help; therefore, you have no claim to myself or Brynjolf.” At this, Nocturnal frowned but did not argue. “I will return the Key and restore your access to Mundus if you revoke your claim on our souls.” Nocturnal laughed once more. 

“Fine. Agreed.” The Daedra smiled, and a chill ran up her spine. 

“Why are you agreeing so easily?” Aelyn asked. 

“Why indeed, mortal?” Nocturnal gestured to a small keyhole at the base of the Ebonmere. Aelyn hesitated, rerunning her terms in her head once more. 

“We aren’t bound to you in any way after this,” Aelyn confirmed, and Nocturnal grinned. 

“I will hold no claim on you in this life or the next.” The Daedra confirmed. 

Aelyn approached the fountain, sliding the key into the lock at the base of the Ebonmere. As soon as she did so, a power burst forth from the fountain and enveloped the room. Nocturnal laughed, and she could hear the unmistakable sound of ravens cawing and cackling as she did so. 

“I will leave you with a gift. Drink deeply of the Ebonmere. I will lay no claim to you, but you shall receive my favor.” Nocturnal gestured to the fountain below her and grinned, amused by the little ant beneath her. Aelyn watched her carefully as she dipped her hand into the Ebonmere and drank the strange liquid.  

“Oh, poor, naive mortal. You could have asked for anything. I will send you back, but know this- your soul has already been claimed by another, and the Key has already changed you. I will be eagerly watching how your future unfolds. Good Luck…”

“What? My soul is already-” Aelyn tried to ask, but Nocturnal disappeared before her eyes in a great flurry of raven wings. The Daedra’s presence was gone.  

Aelyn suddenly felt a strong pull behind her navel as the space around her dissolved. She found herself standing before a set of doors embedded into a rock face. 

“Wait!” Aelyn pounded against the doors, desperate to have an answer, when a familiar pair of hands stopped her. She was outside the temple, Val holding her wrists, looking concerned, and Remiel wrapping her arms around her in relief. 

“Oh Gods, you’re okay! The door locked right behind you; we couldn’t get in!” Remi explained as she squeezed Aelyn tightly.

“What happened?” Val searched her eyes, seeing the dismay that lingered there, his gaze dipping to her wounded shoulder and then back to her face.

“I returned the key.” Aelyn sighed, pulling herself free from Remi and Val for a moment. “I’m not sure how well that went, but my soul won’t be in the Evergloam for eternity.”

“You still look worried.” Val continued to watch her as she pushed her hair away from her face. 

“Nocturnal said my soul was already claimed and that… The Key had changed me.” Aelyn bit her lip, and concern clouded both Remi and Val’s faces. 

“Claimed by who?” Val asked. 

“They didn’t say, and I’m not sure.” Aelyn’s heart sank; what if it was Hermaeus Mora? What would she do then? But Mora didn’t really have an interest in souls; those who defied him were turned into Seekers or other abominations of Apocrypha; he was more interested in knowledge and lost bits of history. So if not Mora, then who?

“In any case, shouldn’t we start finding a way back to civilization? I don’t think I want to be out here after dark. There are stories about the forests of Falkreath…” Remi shuddered. 

“Oh yeah? What kind of stories?” Val grinned. 

“Werewolves,” Aelyn smirked, feeling lighter than she had in weeks. It wasn’t every day you bargained with a Daedra and came out on top. 

Chapter Text

“I’m not good at navigating without sight of the horizon,” Val explained as Aelyn rubbed her temples. They were lost, deep within the dense forests of Falkreath. 

“We’ve got to figure something out or set up camp,” Aelyn sighed, frustrated with the situation. There was no telling the direction they were heading in. The sun was obscured by a thick canopy of foliage. The light was waning, and the shadows grew dark within the forest. She turned to suggest setting up camp again, only to hear Val complain when a strange noise ripped through the forest. A growling scream sent birds fleeing the area. 

“Did you guys hear that?” Remi asked gripping the straps of her pack as if the sound hadn’t been loud enough to make all three of them startle. 

“I heard it alright.” Val’s eyes narrowed in the direction the sound had come from. Just above the treetops, an old stone tower could be seen. Its roof collapsed long ago, but it stood sentinel on a hill not far from them. 

“You don’t think it could’ve been…” Remi trailed off, afraid to admit to the terrifying scenarios her mind was conjuring up. 

“Werewolves aren’t real.” Aelyn reminded her. “It’s probably nothing.” Another snarling, sobbing noise sounded from nearby, and Val grimaced. 

“Whatever it is, it’s not happy.” His hand drifted to the hilt of his sword. They were lost in the wilds of Falkreath, and he knew better than to write anything off as fantasy. 

“Let’s go have a look; it sounds like some sort of wounded animal.” Aelyn started off toward the tower. 

“Are you crazy! This is how people die!” Remi complained, following behind them closely. “How many books have I read where the stupid adventurer gets killed doing exactly what you’re doing? Too many!”

The tower was an easy landmark to follow, its white stones illuminated by the setting sun; despite the potential danger, Aelyn felt relief at having a heading at last. They fought their way through the underbrush, stumbling along in the growing darkness around them. They’d need to find shelter soon, and the ruined tower– if not inhabited by a wounded werewolf – would provide. As they climbed the hill, another savage-sounding howl of pain tore through the air. 

“Keep your eyes open,” Val warned as they approached. 

“I-I don’t see anything.” Remi whimpered as they drew closer to the stone structure. Aelyn heard a metal clang and then another howl of pain, and a sudden realization washed over her as she sprinted up the hill. Val watched her run into the forest. 

“Wait up!” He called after her. 

“Hurry!” Aelyn yelled in a panic. She could hear the man cursing as she burst into the small clearing at the base of the tower. 

A man, with his leg caught in a bear trap, struggled against the foul contraption. His blood soaked the ground, his fingers slick with it as he tried to reach the release, lacking the leverage to snap the trap open. 

“Oh Gods, that hurts.” The man groaned as Aelyn approached. He snarled, noticing her approach, “Got somethin’ to say s’wit?” 

He was young, a Nord at first glance, but his dark hair and eyes indicated otherwise. He was thin and smaller than other Nords she’d seen. His eyes were wild, much like those of a wounded animal that had been cornered. Aelyn approached slowly, her palms out, in an attempt to assure the man she meant no harm. 

“I don’t know how much the Thalmor are paying you to do this, but I can still put up a fight and will…” He winced as he tried to sit up. “I will take you with me.”

“Easy, that looks painful.” Aelyn paused as his hand went to the greatsword strapped to his back. “I’m not who you think I am.” She assured him and he eased, not that he truly had much of a choice in the matter. 

“Then it seems my luck hasn’t run out yet… Help me get out of this thing, then. I’m good for some coin if you do.” He offered a weak smile, and Aelyn chuckled. 

“I don’t need your coin.” She moved to kneel beside him when a hand landed on her shoulder. She could hear something crashing through the underbrush and jumped up, only to realize it was Val as he finally caught up to her, reaching the clearing where Aelyn knelt beside the injured Nord. 

“You-” Val panted, “Are unreasonably fast sometimes. What in Oblivion are you doing?”

“Helping.” Aelyn turned back toward the injured man, she paused as Val laid a hand on her shoulder. 

“We don’t know if he’s dangerous,” Val said, hesitant to help a complete stranger they’d found in the wilderness. Skyrim was a dangerous place, and the man looked armored and armed. Aelyn chuckled again, raising a brow at Val as he said it. 

“Seriously?” Aelyn couldn’t help but be amused; a dreaded pirate captain was warning her that the young man stuck in a bear trap might be dangerous. She turned back toward the man, kneeling beside the trap. The teeth of the contraption had lodged firmly into his iron shin guard and tore into his calf. 

“So, if you’re not with the Legionaires or the Thalmor, what are you doing out here?” He asked as she looked for a way to open the trap without causing more damage. “Don’t tell me you just stumbled into all of this?”

“More or less.” Aelyn wondered what he could have meant by ‘All of this’ but instead of interrogating him, she attempted to move his leg. He howled in the pain the moment she touched it. 

“Well-” He grunted, catching his breath after having it stolen away by the tearing sensation in his calf as Aelyn tried to maneuver his leg to get the trap open, “That’s very fortunate. I need to get to that town down the hill from here. Can you help me? They… don’t know my face yet.”

“Well, that’s not suspicious,” Val muttered, watching Aelyn struggle as Remi finally burst into the clearing, panting. 

“Town down the hill? Is that Falkreath?” Aelyn asked excitedly. They were so close to civilization and hadn’t known it. 

“Yeah-yeah.” The man blew out a breath, disregarding her eagerness. “If we run into any patrols, tell them it was a hunting accident. Probably far too common in this region.”

“Sure, but how about we tackle one problem at a time?” Aelyn gave him a reassuring smile that he weakly returned. 

“What? It was just some idiot in a bear trap the whole time?” Remi sounded disappointed. She inspected the trap over Aelyn’s shoulder. 

“Who is that?” He strained to see Remi’s face. “Y’know, no matter how hard you stare and frown at it, it’s not going to open. Better odds than if you got your mitts on it, at least.” Aelyn frowned and stood. 

“Look, we’re trying to help you.” She snapped, not taking well to anyone who treated her friend badly.

“Well, I was looking for the mechanism to open it,” Remi replied to the rude man sassily, “rather than you sitting there with a bear trap on your leg. Which, by the way, is meant to trap bears, not Nords, as the name might suggest. But perhaps I’ll just leave you to bleed there instead.”

“Oh, for Mara’s sake, I’ll be bored to death first if you don’t shut your yap… Open it, then.” He snarled, he was sweating, the pain from the trap degrading his patience. 

“Aelyn, are you sure about this?” Val muttered as he watched Remi bend down to help the man despite indicating otherwise. 

“Well, I rowed out to a deserted island to rescue a known pirate; what do you think?” She raised a brow at him. 

“Right.” Val grinned at the memory; it felt like an age ago when she’d found him on that beach. If the man really were a threat, they’d deal with it. 

“…Like a child poking a rabbit through a snare, she’s enjoying this -” The man muttered to himself as Remi inspected the trap. “I’d love this if I weren’t the one down here…”

“Well, unfortunately for you,” Remi moved his leg to get better leverage without much care, and the man cried out in pain, “You are the one down there. But fortunately, I am a generous, kind-hearted genius. It’s really quite simple,” she continued to explain as she released the auto lock on the trap, “Hardly a technology on par with the Dwemer. You know, men and mer were meant to be able to unlatch it.” She pressed down on the open latch of the bear trap violently as the man yelled and pulled his foot free. 

“MM! Oh, I should thank you.” He panted, scrambling backward from the contraption. He struggled to his feet, avoiding putting any weight on the injured limb, “But you’re such a bitch about it.” He leaned against the stones of the tower, “Thank you. Can’t believe I’m saying that.” Remi grinned triumphantly. 

“Well, I suppose you’re welcome. Can you.. er, walk? I don’t think we could drag you all the way to Falkreath.” She let her bravado falter a bit to see if the man was actually alright now that he was free. 

“I can manage; I’ve been in worse situations with less. You’re the most talkative miracle I’ve ever met, you know that?” The man smiled a boyish grin that seemed to light up his face, and Aelyn was struck by how young he suddenly seemed. 

“Yeah, yeah,” Remi smiled back with a roll of her eyes, “My name is Remiel; what’s yours?”

“Gore. Nice to meet you then, Remiel.” The man sighed in relief, thankful to be free of the trap. Aelyn reached out her hand to the young man. He shook her hand eagerly, “You just saved my life, stranger.”

“I’m Aelyn, what kind of name is Gore?” She asked with a smile. 

“Well, it’s not one. It’s closer to an insult, but I guess it grew on me.” Gore released her hand and eyed the tall Nord with them; he seemed suspicious of Gore. 

“I’m Val. How about you tell us all about it later?” Val extended his arm to help Gore as he hobbled across the clearing. 

“Yeah, thanks. Let’s get moving.” Before they could move Gore down the hill toward the road, a loud crashing sounded in the brush. 

“Werewolves?!” Remi exclaimed. 

“Worse.” Gore steeled himself, pulling his greatsword off his back. “Thalmor.”

Chapter Text

Two footsoldiers and an Altmer in gold-trimmed robes ran toward them through the underbrush. The robes signified one of the Mer as a Thalmor Justiciar. They didn’t stop to ask any questions; one screamed ‘Heretic’ as the other two rushed in with their blades drawn. Remi ducked behind a tree, holding her backpack with Scrap inside tightly, trying to stay out of the action. Gore waited for them to come to him; he was easily outmaneuvered, his leg preventing any sudden feints or dodging, so it was best to let his enemies do the work for him for the moment. He waited until they were within striking distance, and in a move that seemed impossibly quick given the size of his weapon and the leanness of his stature, he ran one of the Thalmor soldiers through. 

Val let a crack of lightning hit the other footsoldier, the heavy metal of his armor proving a wildly helpful conductor. Gore’s eyes widened when he saw the flash of electricity snap past him, and Val grinned. The Justiciar squared off with Aelyn but was far too slow; he gathered a ball of flame in his hands, ready to unleash it on her, when her dagger found its way between his ribs. The flame went out, and he sputtered and fell. 

“Were these guys after you?” Aelyn asked as she wiped her dagger on the Justiciar’s robes. Gore looked around in surprise at how quickly they had neutralized the Thalmor agents. 

“Thalmor? T-There’s Thalmor after you?” Remi’s voice rose in pitch as she stepped closer to Aelyn.

“Yes.” He replied honestly. “Bastards, every single one of them has blood on their hands. I’m glad to see them dead.” Gore kicked one of the agents and then stumbled back, snarling in pain. He leaned back against a large outcropping of rock, breathing heavily through his teeth. 

“We really should heal that leg of yours.” Aelyn unslung her pack, rummaging around for a healing potion. 

“I appreciate your help,” Gore said quietly as his breathing returned to normal. “Now that they’re dead, I doubt there will be anyone else coming after me. They killed almost all of us.”

“Who’s ‘us’?” Val asked with his arms crossed, watching Aelyn apply the potion to Gore’s leg. 

“I was part of a traveling Mercenary group known as the Band of the Raven. Don’t laugh.” Gore warned, pushing his dark hair away from his face. It was hard to picture; he had such a fine bone structure and slight build that a life as a mercenary seemed a poor fit. Aelyn wiped his wound with a spare bandage as it closed, leaving behind a pattern of scars that looked like a rather vicious bite. He bent down to put his shin guard back on, catching her eye as she packed away the remainder of the potion. “Listen. Thank you. I should be back to fighting form in no time. In the meantime though… I uh.. Swear myself to you as the one that saved my life.” Aelyn shot up, glancing back at Remi and Val, who both wore similar expressions of shock. 

“Uh – Gore, that’s not really-” She began to explain but didn’t get the opportunity to finish. 

“I would have died in that trap had they found me. Like a dog…”

“Gore – We aren’t really in a position to-”

“I know I owe you a bit of an explanation for all this, and when we have time, I’ll try and give you the short version.” As he spoke, his eyes seemed to gain a depth of loss to them that she often saw in a stray puppy or lost child. It was disarming, and even if he was unaware of it, it rendered her incapable of denying him. “Honestly, I haven’t been on my own in… ever. I suppose I’ll just stick with you if you’ll have me.”

“I…” Aelyn deflated. She knew she was done in. Those round, brown eyes made her chest ache. “Yeah.” She exhaled deeply. “We would be glad to have you along.”

“What?!” Val and Remi both yelled in unison. 

“Are you kidding me?” Val muttered, watching her once again get suckered by someone ‘in need.’

“I don’t think having a Nord that attracts Thalmor along is a good idea…” Remi argued.

“Then it’s settled. I will protect you with my life. Same as you did for me.” Gore grinned, and Aelyn was struck by how young it made him look. 

“How old are you, Gore?” The question tumbled out before she could stop it. 

“Uh, twenty?” He mused, thinking on her question. “Twenty-one summers, this year? Why?”

“You have one of those faces where you could be thirteen or thirty,” Remi interjected and then looked at Val with a frown. “Or maybe twenty-five.”

“Hey!” Val crossed his arms over his chest.

“Sorry, you’re just old, Val.” Remi shrugged. 

“Gods damn it, not this again.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Let’s just get to Falkreath before it’s too dark to see the damn road.”

Falkreath was a short hike down the hill. A stone-paved road led them through the main gates of the imperial-controlled city. The town was run down, despite being so close to the border of Skyrim. The old wooden buildings seemed to be weighed down by the oppressive atmosphere of the place, their awnings and thatched roofs sagging, the paint chipped and peeling, leaving a vague impression of a once vibrant little town. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the shadows deepened, and a thick, low-hanging fog rolled through the streets, creating an eerie scene befitting of a town famous for its large cemetery and forests teeming with werewolves.

A sign hung over the steps to the inn read ‘Dead Man’s Drink.’ The chain that held it creaked slightly as the sign swung gently back and forth in the breeze. Gore chuckled a bit at the name before they stepped inside to find an atmosphere in stark contrast to the dreary town outside. A large fire burned in the central hearth, and a bard plucked a cheery tune on his lute as patrons cheered and raised their mugs for him. 

“Come on in! Just stoked the fire, take a seat, and get the cold out!” The innkeeper called to their little group as they entered. Gore seemed to relax for the first time.

“Finally, the comfort and warmth of an inn. We made it.” He leaned against the bar and glanced down at Aelyn. He was taller than her but a measure shorter than Val, lacking that typical muscle mass that seemed to define most Nord men. “I can’t help but feel like I just left behind the best chance I have at tracking down other survivors, though. Perhaps some mead will enlighten me on what to do next. Come on, I’ll get a round for us.” He flagged down the innkeeper. She was an Imperial with dark hair and eyes, and standing before Gore as he ordered a round of drinks for their little group, suddenly, the likeness was uncanny. 

“I’m Valga; I run the inn!” The woman said cheerily, pulling an ale into a rather worn-looking tankard. “Just holler at me if you need anything or if you have some juicy gossip to spare. It can get a little depressing around these parts. Or – Oh, I’m sorry you’re not here for a funeral, are you?”

“You get many travellers through here?” Val asked, leaning in toward her. Valga smiled, a soft blush gracing her cheeks. Aelyn couldn’t blame her in the slightest; many had fallen for his disarming charm. 

“Usually for the graveyard. Falkreath is known for its cemetery, hence the name of the Inn.” Valga pressed the ale into Val’s hand, lingering a little longer than necessary. 

“Is that so? How clever.” Val grinned, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Unfortunately, we’re just stopping over for the night. Such a shame we can’t stay longer.” He leaned forward just a breath closer to the woman, “The scenery here is delightful.” She giggled at his flirtation in a way that seemed almost out of place for someone clearly in her mid to late thirties.

“Well, I have a few rooms to rent if you need a place to stay. There’s four. Including mine.” Valga winked, and Val let out a measured chuckle. 

“Well, how about we rent the three for my companions and I for the night. We’ll see about the fourth.” His smile was rife with insinuation as he gently pushed more gold than was necessary across the bar. Valga laid her hand over his with a soft smile. 

“What a charmer,” She grinned right back at him, “you’ve brightened my evening at the least.” Valga pushed a few coins back across the bar toward Val. Three rooms for the price of two wasn’t bad at all for a little innocent banter.

“SO … about the name.” Aelyn turned away from the spectacle happening at the other end of the bar and toward Gore, their newest… Companion? Friend? Unfortunate stray? He smirked, but it fell away from his expression quickly. 

“You can’t just let that go, huh? Don’t you have bigger things to worry about than my stupid name?” Gore took a deep drink from his tankard, and when Aelyn’s resolute stare began to burn through his awkwardness, he relented. “Come on. If you insist.” 

He waved for her to follow him toward a table that was situated in the far corner of the inn, not too far from the door but positioned so that one could have an easy view of the entire mead hall. Aelyn could have speculated at the selection, but it was easy to understand. Just as she preferred to have the wall at her back, it seemed Gore was of a similar disposition. The light from the horn candle on the worn wooden table flickered, giving Gore’s softer features a sharpness that made her see the Nordic influence in his face. The high cheekbones, the strong brow, and his Nordic heritage started to make sense at last. 

“I’ll oblige, but I should warn you.” Gore paused as Aelyn settled into her seat beside him. “Getting into that requires getting into well… Everything. And it will take a while to get through… Everything.” Aelyn let a soft chuckle go as she shook her head.

“You’re not dodging it. Let’s hear it.” She sat back, taking a shallow sip of her ale as Gore leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. 

“Fine then. So from a young age, probably ‘too young’ by any sane person’s standards, I was part of a traveling mercenary group known as the Band of the Raven.” He eyed her, waiting for a snicker or a stifled laugh, but there wasn’t one. She sat there, tucked into her seat comfortably, listening to his story.  It was a small thing, but he felt a slight loosening of the tension that lived between his shoulder-blades and had grown tighter by the minute since he’d decided on a whim to swear an oath to a complete stranger. Gods, sometimes he really didn’t just think before he did things. 

“I was adopted by them, sort of. I had a lot of surrogate fathers. I guess you could say I was raised by the proverbial wolf pack.” He continued, relaxing a little as she listened to him quietly, “They were stand-ins for the mother I lost when I was too young to remember her. The Thalmor apparently saw fit to raze a small farm village just outside of Bruma suspected of partaking in the worship of a certain outlawed God.” At this, he added quickly, preferring to cut off the tiraide that was surely coming his way either for or against Talos worship, the Empire, or the Stormcloaks. “Spare me any religious interjection, though; I couldn’t care less.” 

“I’m not particularly religious. You’re in no danger here,” Aelyn assured him with a smile that he returned. “So, your mother worshipped Talos?” She watched as his brows bent together; his tone didn’t seem to quite match his expression. His face said the question bothered him, while his words made it sound like it was the farthest thing from his mind.

“I don’t know.” He shrugged, leaning back in his chair so that the front legs left the floor, “I do know that she worshipped Kyne, however. But that is just one of a couple of things I know about her, the other being that she died.” He pulled out a little piece of bone on a leather cord from around his neck. It had been tucked safely inside his shirt, hidden beneath the beaten half-iron plate over his chest. “This amulet that I wear was taken from her body and given to me. I used to ah, chew on the leather when I was a kid. Obviously, I had to replace that, but the rest is authentic. They found me stunned and alone among the corpses.”

“And they… took you with them?” That struck her as odd; why would a band of mercenaries abduct a small child? Wouldn’t that be a hassle for them?

“Yes, believe it or not. I think their leader, Jo-lee, had a soft spot for me, honestly.” Gore gave a wry smile at that, and Aelyn rested her chin on her hand, watching his expression shift between emotions she recognized but had no names for. 

“And the name?” She prompted him.

“Well, I guess it was an ill-advised joke at my expense. They had to toss me in a river to even determine what color I was, apparently.” He again shrugged with a superficial smile, an entreating expression but not genuine. “It was ‘Gore’ or ‘Red. ’ Stupid, I know. But trust me, there were worse monikers in our ranks. Mostly Orcs, truth be told.” Aelyn was quiet, processing all that he’d said. The silence that lingered between them didn’t feel empty or strained but rather comfortable, like sitting with an old friend. 

“Is your entire band wiped out, then?” She asked, her words barely audible over the din of the tavern. 

“I assume so. I saw most of it myself, and it was… Ugly. To say the least.” Gore took a breath; an unconscious tell, what he’d seen, all that had happened, affected him deeply. “Our leader Jo-lee left camp in the middle of the night.” His expression darkened. “The next thing we know, we were woken up by Justiciars decrying our crimes of worshipping a false God.” He turned his tankard, one way, then another in his hands as he continued, “I managed to slip away with a few others, to my shame. Pate led us across the border, then tried to ditch me with the rest. Unfortunately for him, I’m a rather silent sleeper, and our resting place was well-hidden. Pate is anything but quiet… They drew the patrols right to them, and the commotion woke me. The rest is a blur, up ‘til I felt that trap biting into my shin. Then I met you.” His tone was light, flippant even. Aelyn’s brows bent in confusion. Why did his expression not match? She didn’t understand.

“Aren’t you sad about them?” She tilted her head as he was silent for a moment. 

“Yes.” He said at last. “They were cruel, but they were my family. Life was no kinder to me than it was to them in the end. I want answers. Jo-lee sold us out like it was nothing, and he is here in Skyrim. I’m sure of it…” Aelyn’s chest tightened; she understood his unfinished business with Jo-Lee. “If we come across any trace of him, I can’t, I won’t ask you to accompany me. I will get those answers, though. Until then, I’m yours.”

“I’m glad to have you. We’ll figure this out.” She tried to reassure him, but he stopped abruptly to interrupt her. 

“I will.” He cut in with a little more edge to his words than was necessary. “It’s not your problem, nor is it your responsibility. I’m not deluded enough to believe either.” Finally, there he was, scars and all, resolute in his purpose. “We were a ragtag band of borderline bandits, picking at the scraps of glory left from a war I wasn’t even alive to see, mostly blades for hire that would tuck tail and run at the first sign of defeat. I’m not proud of them, but I will avenge their deaths.” Aelyn let him continue, more curious about why he’d not want help. He drained the rest of his ale in one go before sullenly staring at the table top before them. “I’m not sure what else I could even do at this point. I’m not even sure how I survived this. Don’t let me dampen the mood, though; I could use some mead and some warmth in my belly.” He stood, intent on getting another drink. “That’s what we’re here for… And for the record, blood. Thank you. I mean it.”

Chapter Text

It was a surprisingly clear day in Falkreath, where it rained often, and the fog typically lingered until midday. It was still morning, and the sun shone down, filtering through the dense forest canopy. Birds sang, flitting from tree to tree, and an easy, cool breeze rustled the leaves as the four of them crunched along the road out of Falkreath. 

“So we’re headed to Riften then?” Gore confirmed as he began the steep climb toward the border town of Helgen. 

“Normally, I’d avoid the Jerral Pass, but since we have to go right by it-” Aelyn began to explain before Remi cut in. 

“Why not take the shortcut?” Remi finished for her with a grin.

“I see.” Gore nodded, sweat beginning to bead upon his brow. “You guys know it’s going to be freezing cold up there, right?”

“Hence why I normally avoid it.” Aelyn gave a wry smile. 

The pass was definitely a shortcut, but Gore was right. It was frozen under tens of feet of snow for most of the year. A tight, winding road full of hairpin switchbacks made it nigh impassable in a carriage. So they would go on foot, likely spend the night in Helgen, if only to get a start on the treacherous journey through the mountains at daybreak. The only thing worse than the pass itself would be trying to tackle it overnight. 

“And why are we going to Riften?” Gore asked over his shoulder, missing the shift in Aelyn’s expression. He didn’t need to see it; he heard loud and clear the anger in her voice. 

“Someone took something from me, and I intend to get it back.” She snarled. 

“How much do you think something like the Eyes of the Falmer is worth anyways?” Remi mused.

“Oh, I’d say forty thousand Imperial Septims, each - at least. Probably more if we market them right.” Val grinned, watching Aelyn’s posture become more and more rigid. 

“Surely enough to fund an expedition for the museum,” Remi concluded, chuckling as they wound Aelyn up.

“A museum?” Gore asked. “Do you work for a museum?” Remi grinned while nodding her head and began to explain. 

“Yep, in Solitude.” She said proudly, “It was just Aelyn and I for a while, until Val started stealing stuff from us-”

“Not you directly,” Val attempted to defend himself. “I was just ah- Finding new patrons for the museum.” Aelyn paused to give him a critical look.

“Come on, Serano, you’re better than that.” She shook her head in disappointment. “At least make up something believable.”

“He’s a pirate,” Remi said with a smile.

“Relic hunter.” Val corrected her as Gore and Remi started to laugh. 

“I told you, no one believes that.” Aelyn reminded him. 

Helgen was a walled settlement at the intersection of three holds. Officially, it belonged to Falkreath, whose western-facing entrance was the only entrance without gates. To the north, it bordered Whiterun, and to the east, the Rift. Despite being early in the day, the four of them stayed overnight—a welcome respite to their road-weary legs. 

“You know, Jo-Lee said my mother was from here,” Gore said as they approached the inn. 

“Really? I wonder if you have any family in the area?” Remi bounced excitedly. 

“That would be something, wouldn’t it?” Gore hadn’t considered the possibility. Had his mother left anyone behind when she moved south? It might even have been worth looking into. 

“Remi,” Aelyn gently interrupted, “Could you go to the general store and see if they have any cold-weather items? I’m not keen on freezing to death in the mountains tomorrow.” Aelyn opened the door to the inn, waiting for Remi to confirm. 

“I’ll go with her.” Gore volunteered, grinning. “Don’t want her getting the wrong stuff.” Aelyn gave Gore a speculative look, lingering on his bare arms as if he knew anything about staying warm. ’“I keep my arms exposed for mobility.” He defended, catching her gaze.

“Sure, you do.” Val chuckled, gently pushing Aelyn through the door. “You’re more likely to get swindled than Remi, but I’m sure bartering will go easier with you along.”

Aelyn noted the smirk hiding the corner of Val’s mouth as she stepped up to the bar. He was up to something, though she wasn’t entirely sure what yet. For all she knew, he was going to attempt another ‘discount’. The idea made her frown. She hadn’t asked him for anything, nor had he asked her for anything, but still, the show he’d put on the night prior made her feel ill. 

“Welcome to The Lost Man’s Reprieve; I’m Vilod. What can I get a couple of travelers today?” A burly Nord with blunt features and light blonde hair slicked back walked in from the brewing room behind the bar. 

“We’re stopping overnight,” Aelyn said, pulling out a few coins. 

“Oh, headed through the pass tomorrow? I’d be careful; there was a bit of a skirmish up that way at daybreak.” Vilod said, tossing a spare rag over his shoulder. “So, staying the night. I’ve got two rooms available?”

“We’ll take them.” Aelyn handed over the coins, and Vilod smiled. 

“You should try the mead while you’re here. My own special brew, with juniper berries mixed in.” 

“Sounds lovely.” Aelyn took the keys from Vilod. 

“I’ll leave you to get settled in. Everyone is going out to watch the soldiers.” Vilod nodded as he moved toward the door. 

She opened one of the rooms to find a small, simple space. It seemed clean at the very least and lacked the damp and mildew smell that Dead Man’s Drink had hosted. She was about to set her pack down when the door closed behind her. 

“Val, what are you doing?” Aelyn hissed as he turned her, and she felt her back connect with the door behind her. 

“What do you think I’m doing?” The warmth of his words, his mouth close to her ear, was enough to make her breath catch. Her heart was immediately in overdrive, her stomach doing little flips as he leaned into her. One hand pulled her hips flush against him, the other tilting her chin upward as he caught her lips in a searing kiss. 

She didn’t hesitate to open up for him, begging him to deepen their kiss, letting out a soft, pleasing sound at the first slide of his tongue. He pressed deeper into her mouth, his hand gripping her backside as she rolled her hips against him. He broke away to bite out a curse before returning to the task at hand, working at the laces of her tunic. 

“I missed you last night.” The words tumbled out; he was surprised to hear his own voice saying them. He paused, his lips poised just a breath away from the column of her throat, what he wanted just a thought away, or was that what he wanted?

“I thought… I thought you were occupied.” Her chest rose and fell rapidly; if she hadn’t been blushing before, she certainly was now. “I thought -”

“You thought what?” His lips skimmed along her neck, up toward her ear. 

“You’d had your fill.” Aelyn recoiled suddenly as if she’d spoken some sort of malediction that left a foul taste on her tongue. 

“My fill? What does that mean? Why would you think-”

“You know exactly what it means.” She was pulling away from him; he fumbled to hold onto her, but she was intent on putting at least half a step between them. Much too far for his liking. “You were flirting with that innkeeper. What was I supposed to think when she offered you her room?”

“I might have overdone it. That was just harmless banter, though. Don’t worry about it.” He reached for her again, to hold her hands or form some sort of contact. She stepped further away, out of his reach. He didn’t like the tight feeling that left in his chest or the sourness in his stomach while he staunchly refused to wonder at what it meant. If he wondered, he’d know, and at the heart of it, he was afraid to know. They were long past the point where he’d normally have cut and run. This was uncharted territory. 

“You said it yourself, there isn’t anybody you’ve ever missed. Why would I be stupid enough to believe you missed me?”  She’d no sooner said the words before she doubted them. Not that they were untrue, but that she had the resolve for what they meant. It would have been easier to simply fall back into his arms; that was what she really wanted.  

But it would have been false, a foundation laid on sand destined to crumble. The thought fueled an anxiety that made her palms sweat and her pulse race in a terrible way. A cold sweat sent a chill up her spine. It would have been easier to let him just continue on as he pleased while the ache in her chest slowly ate her heart away. It was easier to hide herself away and accept whatever she was given—easier for everyone.

“You’re going to get judgmental now? I didn’t want anything more complicated, and I never hid that from anyone.” Val watched the color drain from her face, realizing that hadn’t been the right thing to say. “Listen, back then – It was always easier to sail away than deal with anything more complicated. It wasn’t something I cared about- until I met you…” Val huffed, feeling like he’d rather beat his head against a tree trunk than have this conversation. 

“You wanted to do this.” Aelyn gestured animatedly between the two of them before taking a deep breath. “So, what is this?”

“Complicated.” He smirked, taking a small step toward her, letting his hand caress the side of her face. Of course, he wanted her, and she wanted him too; they both knew that. It was a moot point to make.“In a way I didn’t know I needed.”

“Look, I just think that the nature in which you have relationships and the way I am, this will end badly.” Aelyn let him close the gap between them, feeling less and less confident by the moment. His proximity was shaking her resolve, if she’d ever had any, forcing her to understand a simple truth. She didn’t want it to end at all. She didn’t want him to leave; above all else, she wanted him and wanted him to stay.

“Aelyn, that’s what I’m saying. I never had relationships. So, there’s no way I could have one that doesn’t involve the way you are.” He took her hand in his, turning her palm up as he pressed his lips to it. 

He wasn’t sure what had come over him, but Aelyn walking away from him at this point wasn’t an option. He gazed into her eyes, and she fell easily into his emerald depths. His soft smile cast a spell; the way he tugged her closer was a trap, and she didn’t bother to fight. He was right; she wanted him right back, regardless of how little sense it made. She wanted him enough that the look he was giving her was making her forget how to breathe properly. 

“Besides, it can’t end badly if we don’t give it a name.” He murmured as she leaned into him.

“This is a terrible idea.” Her lips brushed against his as she whispered, feeling his hand on her waist grip her tighter. 

“The worst.” He smiled, kissing her again, losing himself in the feeling of her in his arms. He barely heard anyone crying out or the roar in the distance until Aelyn was pushing away from him. 

“Did you hear that?!” Aelyn pulled the door open and stepped out into the empty inn. Another roar, much closer this time, loud enough to shake the dust from the timbers of the tavern. Aelyn’s stomach dropped; she knew the sound. If she lived a thousand years, she’d never forget it. Only one creature in all the planes could make such a noise—a dragon. 

Chapter Text

Aelyn threw open the door to the inn, running out into the road, Val hot on her heels before she stumbled backward into his chest at a vision straight out of her nightmares. They both stared frozen for a moment at the sight. A giant black dragon, at least the size of the inn, its scales the color of midnight, its eyes ablaze like the fires of Oblivion, wings outstretched as it raised its monstrous head skyward and let out a roar that made the very earth quake beneath their feet, and fire began to fall from the sky. Val gripped Aelyn’s shoulders to keep her upright, looking around for any sign of Remi and Gore. 

“Hey- we need to find shelter, somewhere sturdy-” Val nearly had to shout over the din of people screaming and running, the great beating of the creature’s wings, and fire raining from the sky as if it were the end times. 

Aelyn couldn’t move; the dragon’s roar held her immobile. Or was it something else? Its roar sounded like words to her, buried beneath the guttural sound of death itself were… words.

“What is it saying?” Aelyn muttered as Val began to drag her toward a nearby tower, reinforced in case of seige; he suspected it would hold well enough. There was no sign of Remi or Gore, and they could only hope their companions had found somewhere safe. 

“Saying? Aelyn, it’s roaring! Let’s go-” Val urged, but she still didn’t move.

She could hear it; the dragon was speaking, and when its red and burning eyes found her, it seemed to pause, perhaps confused by why she was not running like the others, but it made a sound, almost like a chuckle. 

“Hin sil fen nahkip bahloki…” It snarled at her before circling, “Nust wo ni qiilaan fen kos duaan.” 

“I-I don’t know what it means-” She started to say, but her words were cut off as Val stooped down to wrap his arms around her legs and hoist her upwards before sprinting toward the tower. 

The dragon circled and landed, latching onto the side of the tower before they’d even made it halfway, tearing at the stone with its great claws as Val’s feet stuttered to a stop. Imperial soldiers released a volley of arrows in the creature’s direction with little effect. It was like throwing sewing needles at a giant as the monster ripped open the tower and stuck its head inside. Val set Aelyn down, watching almost in wonder as dragon fire lit the tower from the inside and the sounds of men screaming pierced their ears.

Aelyn, finally coming to her senses, grabbed Val’s hand and ran for the town wall. The dragon pushed away from the tower, its great wings beating in the air. It flew directly overhead as they slid to a stop beside the wall, and the creature clung to the structure right above their heads, letting out a blast of fire that wrecked the guard tower before the executioner’s square. Stones fell from the tower, crushing the soldiers who stood below. Their bows had been nocked and ready, others were reduced to ashes, and some scrambled to run, half on fire, howling in fear and pain. 

“Gods-” Aelyn gasped as Val pulled her along, sticking close to the wall. They had to get to the keep. Its central structure was the only building in Helgen that might withstand the dragon’s fury. 

“Come on, we’ve got to keep moving.” He yelled over the sound of fire falling from the sky and crashing into stone fortifications. 

They sprinted along the wall, and then, ducking through a collapsed residence, the roof still burning, they found their feet on the main thoroughfare through the town. 

“Haming, don’t look up, just focus on me!” A man in Imperial Armor shouted to a small boy who stood frozen in the middle of the street as the dragon roared overhead. 

“Papa-” The boy’s voice was just barely audible over the sound of fire and mayhem. Aelyn followed his gaze toward a man lying on the ground just in front of the inn, gripping his side. He was bleeding out. 

“Haming- “ The soldier called again as the dragon swooped down toward them. 

She didn’t think, just moved. Aelyn dashed toward the boy. The heat from the flames of the ruined inn just across the way tanned her arms as she hooked them under the boy’s, lifting him and running. The dragon swooped down, spitting fire. She heard a man scream, the boy sobbing, but she didn’t stop and ran toward the keep. 

She crouched behind the keep wall with the boy, Val, who had followed her mad dash, the Imperial soldier, and another man had joined them– an older Nord in a beat-up Iron half-plate. The boy trembled and sobbed as she patted his back, unsure what to do. The older Nord held out his arms for the child. 

“I’ll take him; he’s kin.” The man said. 

“Thank you, Gunnar.” The soldier seemed to know them, and Aelyn let the sobbing boy go to the older Nord, who held him tightly. 

“We need to get out of here, “ the soldier said as another man in Stormcloak colors sprinted by. The soldier sneered as he watched the other man run toward the keep. “Argh, not a chance!” He suddenly sprang to his feet, running after the Stormcloak. They reached the entrance together, and both went for their weapons. 

“You’re not stopping us this time!” the Stormcloak cried, his blonde hair stuck to his face and neck, stained with ash and soot, his blue eyes flashing defiantly. 

“You’re a traitor, Ralof!” The Imperial soldier cried.

“We need to move!” The Stormcloak, Ralof, shouted as the dragon began to circle back. 

“Everyone!” The soldier called to Val, Aelyn, Gunnar, and the boy. “Into the keep!”

Val and Aelyn dashed toward the building just as a massive blur of black scales swooped in behind them, the force of which threw Aelyn forward with a blast of heat that almost melted the soles of her boots. She scrambled to her feet, Val pulling her along as she looked back at the blackened ground behind her. 

“No!” She didn’t recognize her own voice, the shrillness of it as it wrenched from her throat. The boy and the man named Gunnar were gone. She fought against Val’s grip on her, anxious to go and find their remains at least. There had to be more left than just ash, but he held fast. She struggled, and he pushed her through the door to the keep, her vision blurring as the door slammed shut behind them. 

“Are you trying to die?!” Val snarled as soon as they were inside, releasing her at last. 

She stood motionless for a moment, not understanding why the boy and the man had been there one moment and then not the next when a force nearly knocked her over. 

“You’re alive!” Remi cried. Relief, pure, unadulterated relief surged through her – she wrapped her arms around Remi immediately, looking up to see Gore striding toward them. 

“When the commotion started, I knew the best place would be here – we were worried that you both had-” He didn’t finish his sentence but patted Aelyn on the back and grinned at Val all the same. 

“What was that thing? Could the legends be true?” Ralof muttered as the dragon roared outside. 

“Ralof, you damned traitor-” The Imerpial soldier began again, and Gore stepped away from Aelyn subtly. 

“Hadvar, we have bigger problems right now. We need to get out of here. I’m not sure the keep will hold.” Ralof looked uneasy as the structure trembled. 

“Right.” Hadvar conceded, pushing his dark blonde hair back out of his face. His eyes were a darker blue than Ralof’s, and he was of a stockier build, but both of them were so obviously nordic, with similar brows and noses and strong cut jawlines. “We can go down through the dungeon; there’s an old escape tunnel through there.”

“True to form, Imperials turning and running at the first opportunity. Might as well prepare for it, eh?” Ralof spat, and Gore held back a chuckle. 

“You’ll keep quiet, or I’ll run you through.” Hadvar suddenly turned toward Ralof, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword. 

“Listen, you two can kiss later, but we have more pressing issues.” Val sighed, heading toward what he assumed were the stairs that led down to the dungeon. “Never thought I’d willingly walk into a prison, but here we are,” he muttered to himself as the small group followed. 

“So, that really was a dragon?” Gore leaned over Aelyn’s shoulder as they walked. 

“I can hardly believe it, but we got a pretty close look.” Aelyn knew she wasn’t processing it yet and that she’d boxed it up for later - if they lived. 

“Y-you’re sure?” His brows raised almost all the way to his hairline. 

“I suppose it could have been a giant flying Argonian – which is more plausible in your opinion?” Aelyn snapped and immediately felt bad. She was on edge, but so was everyone else. 

“Be serious.” Gore frowned. 

The sounds of mayhem from the surface quieted as they traveled further underground. Except for the occasional roar and shaking of the earth around them, the majority of the noise was muffled. Good. Aelyn shut her eyes, trying to push away thoughts of the people who might be screaming their last in terror before being devoured or reduced to ash. 

The six of them found their way to the guard room outside the dungeon. They split up, raiding the space for supplies. The dungeon in the next room was something Aelyn could have gone without seeing. It was a torture chamber; there were no two ways about it. Helgen had been an Imperial stronghold. She glanced at Ralof as his gaze lingered on the lifeless forms of his kinsmen. Brutalized and discarded. A muscle ticked in his jaw. Another violent tremble of the keep urged them onward. Aelyn kept her attention on the path ahead, even as they passed by the prison cells. Half decayed bodies littered the floor, and the smell of rotting flesh burned her nose. The Empire could be cruel, and more than that, heartless in the treatment of their kinsmen. She had to cover her mouth and nose to keep from gagging. 

Just the other side of the prison cells, they heard the distinct sound of voices. Despite the circumstances, the six of them ran forward, eager to find other survivors.

“My Jarl, we must get you out of here.” A thickly accented Nord voice could be heard. 

“Not without my men.” Another man, also Nordic in tone, replied. Recognition bloomed on Ralof’s face, and he began sprinting toward the voices. They turned a corner in the tunnel just in time to see a small detachment of Stormcloak soldiers standing before what looked like an exit to the tunnel. They had come from another direction, a path to the left.

“My Jarl Ulfric!” Ralof called, and the Stormcloaks turned, weapons at the ready to see the six of them approaching. 

“Ralof, you’re alive.” The Jarl smiled. “Who is with you?” He nodded his gaze raking over the small band of misfits with him. 

Aelyn nearly stumbled at Jarl Ulfric’s intense gaze. She’d heard stories, of course she had – living in Markarth had not painted a positive picture of the man standing at the other end of the tunnel, and she had to say, from this first impression, the man seemed every bit capable of the atrocities he was accused. He radiated violence through a mask of calm. His eyes were a blazing ice blue, his head was shaved on the sides to reveal blue tattoos that honored his gods, and his blonde hair was braided elaborately with glass beads and bone. His presence was suffocating even from fifteen feet away, and for some reason, she couldn’t look away – he might have been handsome if he wasn’t so terrifying. She felt his eyes linger on her ears, and they burned under his gaze when his lip lifted slightly. She suddenly wanted to hide, thankful when his stare moved on from her. 

Another roar sounded, this time much closer than before. They had to be near the surface. The walls of the tunnel shook violently. Stone and dirt began to fall loose from the ceiling, before a loud crack echoed through the space as the tunnel collapsed before them. 

“ULFRIC!” Ralof cried, desperation cracking his voice as he attempted to run forward before the trembling had even ceased. Hadvar caught the edge of his chest plate and pulled him back, restraining the Stormcloak for all he was worth. 

“You’ll die, you fool!” Hadvar yelled. The man who had threatened to run him through just a half hour prior was suddenly trying to save his life. There was a history between the two men that the rest were not privy to; of this, Aelyn was certain. The panic in Hadvar’s eyes was unmistakable. 

“Let go of me, Hadvar!” Ralof roared, shoving him back and running toward the cave-in.

“We’re alright. The exit is here!” The Jarl called from the other side.

“I’ll find you in Windhelm, my Jarl.” Ralof pledged. Val, Aelyn, Gore, and Remi watched the entire interaction with similar looks on their faces before Val leaned over to the rest. 

“I think something is going on there?” He whispered as the other three all nodded in agreement.

They turned left down the path Ulfric and his men had come from, hoping to find another way out. Their prayers were answered when it appeared that the same violent force that caused the tunnel to collapse also knocked down a wall further along the path that opened up into a natural cave system. A cool breeze tickled their noses, and Aelyn sighed in relief; that meant there might be a way out after all. 

A small stream trickled along the curving and winding pathways of the tunnel, clearly carved out from when the same waterway had been much more robust. 

“We’re near Lake Ilinalta. This must be from an old underground waterway from when the lake was larger,” Ralof mused as they trudged along, following the sweet scent of fresh air. 

“We need to get to Riverwood.” Hadvar risked a glance at Ralof, who nodded in agreement.

“So, are you two from the same village or-” Remi began to ask as Hadvar let out a chuckle. 

“Both born and raised in Riverwood.” He said with a smile, and Ralof smiled back at him. 

“Thick as thieves once.” Ralof grinned. 

“I wouldn’t say thieves are all that thick…” Aelyn muttered under her breath, and it went largely unnoticed except for Val, who tried to hide a small smirk. 

“Does Riverwood have anything that would help them against a dragon?” Gore asked as they entered a large, open cavern.

“No. But a forewarning might give them enough time to hide or run.” Hadvar replied, and once again, Ralof nodded in agreement. 

“Someone will need to warn the Jarl,” Ralof added, and the two men turned toward the four of them with expectation. Everyone stared at each other for a long moment. 

“Oh, for crying out loud.” Val sighed deeply. “Fine.”

“Aren’t we headed in the opposite-” Remi began, but Aelyn cut her off this time. 

“Whiterun needs to be warned. Maybe they could send some soldiers to Riverwood or something…” Aelyn paused before adding. “It’s the right thing to do.”

Everyone sighed a deep breath of relief when they finally found the exit to the cave, a view of Lake Ilinalta opening up beneath them. It was cut short by a deep roar and the sound of beating wings; they all ducked down as the dragon flew overhead. Fear pumped in their veins, knowing that they couldn’t possibly outrun the creature, but then… it kept going. It kept flying northwest, toward the mountains on the other side of the lake. Gore stood up, a look of deep thought on his face for a moment before he started walking ahead. 

“Come, we need to get moving,” he called back to the rest over his shoulder. They needed to get to Riverwood. 

Chapter Text

They ran. The moment the dragon was out of sight, the six of them ran as hard as they could down the mountain to Riverwood. The road wound and twisted until settling into a graceful curve that followed a river down from Lake Ilinalta toward Whiterun. Sweaty, aching, smelling of burnt things they didn’t want to think about, they stumbled to a walk as they passed through the town entrance as the sun dipped behind the mountains, casting a dark shadow over the little village. 

Remi had struggled the entire way, insisting that they leave her behind. She brought up the rear, stopped over the side of the road, and heaved. Aelyn went to help her, slinging her arm around her shoulders once she was done being sick and supporting her. 

The sound of the river, the songs of crickets, and the little twinkling glow of torchbugs blinking in and out from the brush made town seem idyllic if it weren’t for the lurking threat of a dragon attack that the settlement was obviously unprepared for. There were no defenses, no guards, just a sleepy little town beside the river, nestled in the mountains above Whiterun. 

“Hadvar? Is that you?” A deep voice called out as they passed the empty guard post at the entrance of the village. A tall, broad, and well-muscled man covered in soot approached them from the smithy just off the road.

“Uncle Alvor!” Hadvar smiled as the man approached. 

“Shor’s bones, what happened to you, boy? Are you in some kind of trouble?” Alvor looked his nephew over with concern, a frown deepening on his face as he glanced at the people with him, particularly when his gaze swept over Ralof. 

“Shh.. Uncle, please. Keep your voice down.” Hadvar glanced at Ralof, seeming to remember that he was a fugitive. “I’m fine. But we should go inside to talk.”

“What’s going on? And who’s this?” Alvor nodded to Aelyn, Val, Remi, and Gore.

“They’re friends, in fact. I’ll explain everything, but we need to go inside.” Hadvar began ushering his uncle toward his home, attached to the smithy.

“Come on inside. Sigrid will get you something to eat, and you can tell us what happened.” Alvor paused as if to ask if everyone was coming inside, but the group shifted. 

“I’d best go find my sister, Gerdur. She’ll be wanting to see that I’m all right.” Ralof watched as Hadvar disappeared inside the small house with his uncle before turning toward the rest of the group. “You’re welcome to come with me – I’m sure we can find you some food, supplies, whatever you need.”

“I think our best bet is the inn.” Val smiled, politely declining and nodding toward the largest building in the town, just up the road. A sign that read ‘The Sleeping Giant Inn’ swung over the door.

“We need to set off to Whiterun at first light. The Jarl, we need to warn him.” Gore added, folding his arms over his chest. 

“Well, thank you. I’m glad we all made it out safe, and you’re right. Someone needs to warn the Jarl. We’ll be counting on you then.” Ralof waved before heading across a small wooden bridge that connected Riverwood to a little island in the middle of the waterway that flowed swiftly beside the town. The remaining four trudged silently toward the inn. 

Inside the Sleeping Giant, they were greeted with the cheery crackle of a central hearth as a wave of warmth washed over them. A young Nord sat in one of the chairs arranged at one end of the fire, his long blonde hair plaited over one shoulder, idly picking at his lute, while the barkeep at the opposite end of the Inn silently wiped the inside of a tankard, looking rather listless in his task. The quiet atmosphere was just luring them in when a somewhat nasal voice ripped through the tavern, grating on their nerves. 

“Orgnar! Orgnar! Are you listening?” A Breton woman, dressed in a plain tunic, her hair a cornflower yellow tied neatly at the nape of her neck, called to the barkeep.

“Hard not to.” The barkeep said tiredly. Remi snickered, and Aelyn gave her a slight elbow. 

“The ale is going bad. We need to get a new batch.” The woman stood with her hands on her hips as Orgnar blew out a breath. She waited for a moment, and Orgnar continued to wipe out the tankards, moving at a leisurely pace. “Did you hear me?” The woman demanded.

“Yep.” He still made no move to get up and do anything about her command. “Ale’s going bad.” He repeated. The woman let out a withering sigh. 

“I guess you don’t have potatoes in your ears after all. Just-” The woman seemed to bite back her frustration, “Make sure we get a new batch soon.” She let her hands fall to her sides and turned to retreat to the side room she’d appeared from when she noticed the group of four lingering near the door. Her brow furrowed as she frowned. 

Aelyn felt a hand on her shoulder give her a little shove forward, and she grimaced at the three behind her, not knowing who had decided it was her turn to play spokesperson. She approached the scowling Breton carefully but didn’t loiter, her steps carrying anxious nervousness that betrayed her calm face. Aelyn cleared her throat, praying she didn’t stutter. 

“A-are you the inn-keeper?” She asked, failing to sound particularly confident. 

“I am. We don’t get a lot of travellers here in Riverwood.” The woman said, but didn’t elaborate. 

“Do you not like visitors? It’s an awfully big inn…” Aelyn glanced around. There were at least three rooms on the main floor, a kitchen and bar, and stairs leading to another level below. 

“It’s my job to keep track of… strangers. The war keeps most folks away these days.” The innkeeper tilted her head at Aelyn, her eyes straying to Remi, Val, and Gore, who were still hanging around the hearth near the door. “Most of my customers are locals that come here after a hard day’s toil. So, what’s your story? You here to… relax?” Aelyn attempted to keep her face neutral, but the woman was acting rather suspicious and strange. Did she interrogate all her patrons this way? And why was she speaking like she was trying to insinuate something else?

“We’re just passing through to Whiterun. We’ve come up from Falkreath; there was some trouble at Helgen.” Aelyn explained carefully. She didn’t want to set the whole town into a panic, so perhaps keeping the dragon they’d seen to themselves for the moment was a wiser choice. 

“Trouble at Helgen?” She leaned in closer, as if she would be able to divine the answers from Aelyn’s face. 

“Y-yeah, just- Imperial troops moving through. There was no room at the inn.” She lied; she glanced back at Val just in time to see him rolling his eyes at her. 

“Riverwood is quite a ways from Helgen, just to find an inn.” The woman eyed her. A long moment of silence passed between them as Aelyn shifted on her feet, and the innkeeper stared her down. 

“Well, there aren’t any others-” Aelyn began to argue before the innkeeper cut her off. 

“If you’re staying the night, I have a free room.” The woman seemed to lose interest in her entirely; it was as if she’d flipped a switch. Suddenly, the innkeeper had more important things to do. 

“Well, we’d need at least two-” Aelyn began, but she was already walking away. A deep chuckle sounded from nearby; the barkeep was grinning. 

“Delphine can be a little prickly, doesn’t mean nothing by it.” Orgnar set down the tankard he’d been wiping for what seemed like the last ten minutes. “There’s one on the left up here and two downstairs. Bath, too.”

“Oh.” Aelyn paused, trying to sort out the awkward situation. Why was getting a room so difficult? “How much?” 

“I’m just the cook, lass.” Orgnar shrugged but then put three keys on the counter. Aelyn didn’t question him further, just took the keys and ran over to the others. If they weren’t asking for money, she didn’t need to give them any. Right?

“Could you have made that any more difficult?” Val chided her, his gaze skimming over the top of her head. 

“Then you do it next time,” Aelyn grumbled. 

“The innkeeper’s starin’ at us.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, turning them away. “She’s being subtle about it, but something’s off. Watch what you say around her.”

“That would have been good advice before I went to speak to her.” Aelyn hissed.

They took turns using the bath. Except Gore, much to everyone’s dismay. He was already three ales in and remarking on how well prepared the dinner special was: Skeever liver. Remi poked at the vaguely meat-like substance suspiciously, deciding ale was enough for dinner. Aelyn had been the last to head down to the bath; she’d looked rather worn, with her eyelids drooping, her honey-brown hair sticking to her face and neck, still covered in soot and dirt. Val stared at the stairs to the lower level. That uncomfortable pull in his chest was back again. 

He shouldn’t. He knew he shouldn’t, especially after their last conversation. This thing between them was getting out of hand. Val stared down into the empty tankard in his hand. He wanted her, sure, but it was becoming more than that. Getting too close was dangerous, and with his refusal to think about what they had been getting into, he wondered if it was already too late. No, not wondered. Hermaeus Mora’s gift left its taint everywhere in his mind. He didn’t have the luxury of wondering. His gaze darkened. 

Val started to drum his fingers on the table while Remi and Gore began bickering over something he wasn’t paying attention to. He set down his drink and stood up, barely earning a glance from either of them as he made his way toward the stairs. They were content to bicker and pick on one another, goading each other into another drinking contest. Fair enough, it had been a stressful day, to say the least. 

He made his way down the stairs, turning at the bottom toward the room on the left. It was noticeably quieter on the lower level than on the main floor, the earth insulating them. A maximum of six steps separated the space between the bath and Aelyn’s room, a little sitting area arranged between a fireplace blazed and a small table and chairs sat.  He tried the door to the room, but it was locked. He knew she was still in the bath, and this was stupid.  He popped the lock without a thought anyway and stepped into the empty room, closing the door softly behind him. 

Chapter Text

Her pack had been haphazardly thrown on the bed. He opened it up, snooping through her things, and grinned when he pulled out a length of rope. He heard the door to the bath close and the hurried patter or steps against the wood floor just before the door to Aelyn’s room opened. 

Aelyn paused as she took in the room, certain that she had locked the door. She grimaced, knowing better, as if that would stop Val. His back was turned to her, and her pack was in his hands. She huffed indignantly; he didn’t even have the decency to act like he wasn’t going through her things again. He really needed to learn that her things were not his things.

“Val? What are you doing?” She closed the door quickly behind her. “You’re supposed to be bunking with Gore.” Aelyn chided him as she walked up behind him, snatching her pack away from his hands. 

Val turned and grinned. She’d had some courage to scamper to her room, clutching her dirty clothes in nothing but a towel. He chuckled imagining her poking her head out to check if the coast was clear before dashing across. The mental image of her dashing out into the road to save that little boy in Helgen surfaced unbidden. Seeing the dragon bearing down on them, he’d run out after her, certain they’d be turned to ash. A strangling sensation gripped his heart for a moment before he shoved the memory from his mind. He’d been fortunate that he’d not had time to dwell on it thus far; they’d been too occupied, but now… 

“I’m not sharing with him. He smells like a troll.” Val still held the length of rope in his hand as he leaned in toward her. “Besides, we both know I’ll end up in your bed anyway.” His voice dropped. The corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly as a light flush bloomed across Aelyn’s cheeks. 

“Oh, we do, do we?” Aelyn pulled a set of clean clothes out of her pack, and Val frowned. “You sound very assured.” She was getting better at keeping her voice even despite being flustered.

The dark and worn tunic she pulled from her pack was an unflattering shade of grey, and the thread-bare leggings would do little to keep her warm. Val grimaced at the ensemble. 

“Is there a reason I shouldn’t be?” Val snatched the clothes from her and dropped them, along with the rope, on the floor next to him. Aelyn let out a withering sigh and rolled her eyes; he was trying to get a rise out of her. 

“We agreed this was a bad idea.” She reminded him as she stepped around him to get her clothes. 

“Hm. I thought we’d agreed to make bad decisions together.” Val pursed his lips in thought. He pulled her back against him as she reached for her clothes. She still smelled ever so slightly of smoke as he spoke lowly into her ear, “If I recall correctly, you didn’t seem to mind that too much last time.” 

“Val-” Aelyn let out his name on a breath, feeling herself heat up as he held her close to him. His arm wrapped around her waist as his lips grazed the back of her neck, and his hand drifted up her thigh.

“Do you want me to stop?” His hand slipped under her towel, stroking the inside of her thigh as she tried to remember how to breathe. 

“Val, we were almost burnt alive by a dragon today, and you’re-” She huffed, her words cut off by a soft moan as he slid his fingers higher, gently dipping between her folds. He hummed in satisfaction, finding her absolutely soaked. 

“Close brushes with death do things for me, if you haven’t noticed.” He teased, nipping the tip of her ear as a little gasp broke free from her. “Maybe you, too.”

“Val-” She moaned his name as his finger tip pushed into her, her legs almost folding. 

“Still think it’s a bad idea?” He smirked, nibbling on her ear, adding a second finger as he continued to work them in and out. 

“I-” Aelyn panted, gripping the edge of the bedside table to keep herself upright. “Could be persuaded…” Val let out a little chuckle. 

“Well, I’m nothing if not persuasive.” Val withdrew his fingers with a grin as Aelyn stumbled, trying to find her balance. 

He stepped back quickly, shrugging out of his coat – not bothering to undo his shirt and simply pulling it over his head, discarding them both on the floor as Aelyn fell into a seat on the bed. She barely had a moment to blink in between, his lips finding hers as if there were some otherworldly force that drew them together. Her gasp for air was swallowed up in his kiss, leaning her back to lie on the bed as he tugged her towel free. He smelled like his typical spicy citrus scent, but the smell of soot and smoke lingered. His thumb stroked her jaw, leaving a trail of warmth across her skin that chased his touch. She’d come to learn that the motion meant he wanted her to open up to him, so she did, holding back a groan of pleasure at the feeling of him deepening their kiss. His tongue tasted of honey-sweet mead as he invaded her mouth. He crawled over her, his lips travelling down the curve of her neck, nipping at that sensitive spot just at the base of her throat. His hand snaked around her waist, pulling her closer, the other cupped the side of her face as he sought out her kiss once more. Each shift of his lips against hers was slow and measured. 

A strange sensation replaced the frantic desire that had her in its grips only moments before. Something that soothed the jagged sharpness she felt in her and filled in the lonely spaces between the cracks in her heart that weren’t just about intimacy but about everything before Val had appeared in her life. It eased the near-constant ache she felt from wounds that were left long ago, torn open on the streets of the Imperial City by hunger and cold, when she still had the misfortune to remember a warm home and a mother and father that loved her. 

Affection. The realization hit her like a physical force. His lips brushed against her cheek as he sat back on his heels, his hands reaching for the laces on his trousers.

“Val-” She breathed his name; she had to warn him; this was going too far. This feeling was dangerous.

Her words died on her tongue as she watched him move. She was entranced. His long lashes fanned out over the arch of his cheekbones as his gaze was cast downward, focused on the task his hands were pursuing, fingers pulling at the laces of his trousers. His breath warmed her skin as he leaned in, pulling her up into a sitting position, taking her hands and guiding them to push the fabric down over his hips. Aelyn pressed her lips to his as she undressed him, chasing the heat of his mouth, letting it rob her of her senses as he shifted out of his clothes. He pulled back, leaving her in a daze. 

“Would you do something for me?” He asked, his gaze heated as the question fell between them.

“Hmm?” Aelyn asked slowly, still trying to gather her wits about her. Val leaned over the edge of the bed, reaching for something on the floor. 

The length of rope he’d pulled from her pack was in his hands. Her brows bent in confusion. He let his fingers ghost over the coiled bundle of rope, a soft caress that grazed along the twisting length, barely touching, lighter than a breath. Aelyn felt a little shiver as her eyes tracked the motion. She was imagining those fingers touching her again already, skimming along her bare skin, whispering across her chest, down her stomach, teasing her, sliding- She took a steadying breath. What was wrong with her?

“I want to teach you how to tie knots.” He said simply, his brows raising at her confused expression. 

“Um, what does that have to do with-” Her eyes widened in understanding before she could even finish. “Oh.” Val leaned forward, his gaze burning with unchecked desire. 

“Is that alright with you?” he asked, sin dripping from every syllable. She was nodding her head before she even realized. He grinned, eyes alight with mischief. “Good. I’m going to show you a knot, and then you’re going to do it. Okay?”

 He held the length of cord out in front of him. What was he saying? She needed a moment but gave a sharp nod anyway, wondering how she would stay focused with his chest so close to her face. She just desperately wanted to touch- 

“Hold it in both hands like this, and then-” The motion was too quick; she’d been distracted. Somehow, in half a second, he’d made… rope cuffs. Her heartbeat quickened; there was only one thing he could possibly want those for. Right? “The important thing is-”

“Wait-” She started to interject, but he carried on as if he wasn’t pulling some slight of hand trick on her. 

“The half-knot around each loop-”

“Val, I missed it-”

“Keeps it from slipping-”

“Val-”

“Your turn,” he smirked, handing her the rope. Aelyn stared at it in her hands, her brow furrowed, and she bit her lips in trepidation while Val moved to sit behind her on the bed. His legs extended on either side of her hips; she could feel him pressed against her back as she tried to blink and focus on her task.

She’d missed the whole thing; he’d made two loops somehow, and she hadn’t seen it. What had he done? That first motion, he’d raised his arms and brought his hands together. She tried her best to mimic it, but Val was playing a game. One, they both knew she wasn’t going to win. Aelyn jumped at feeling his lips dragging up the shell of her ear. 

“What’s the matter?” He purred, “Weren’t you paying attention?” 

“I-I missed the first part,” She admitted, staring at the rope like it would magically turn into the two secure loops for her like it had for Val. He reached out in front of her with both arms, her back against his chest, as his mouth did delicious things to the sensitive skin of her neck. 

“Try it on me.” He murmured between pecks, “It might be a little easier.” he offered as he continued to distract her with his lips working against her neck and shoulder. 

She tried, truly, to tie it as he’d shown her. Aelyn managed to get the two loops around his wrists, even if they looked all wrong. She went to tighten them, afraid to make them too secure, leaving them loose enough that his wrists could still rotate freely but tight enough that he couldn’t pull his hands through. 

“Is that too tight?” She asked softly, sucking in a gasp as his teeth grazed her shoulder. 

“Could be tighter. I don’t mind.” He rasped against her skin. She turned to face him within the bound circle of his arms, her hands resting on his chest.

 Val wasted no time, his bound hands sliding down to grip her backside, pressing her hips against him as he kissed and licked his way up the column of her throat. He had waited long enough. She made a frustrated noise, trapped between his legs, unable to feel him properly even as his length twitched against her belly. 

He pulled back and looked like he was about to say something sly, the mischief in his eyes, the tell-tale smirk in the corner of his mouth, but he was caught off guard when Aelyn pushed his arms over his head, pinning his wrists with both hands against the headboard. He lifted one dark blonde brow, clearly amused with her. 

“Behave.” Aelyn reprimanded, earning a laugh from him. 

Her one defiant streak was in full form as she pulled the rope tight around his wrist, and his gaze darkened. She glanced between where she held his hands and where she was now kneeling between his legs with a frown. There was no place for her to secure the rope to. 

“Problem?” Val grinned as she glared at him, still trying to work out what she was supposed to do next. 

Aelyn pressed his wrists against the headboard, using it as leverage as she carefully placed her knees so that she was straddling him instead. Val made a low sound of approval as Aelyn lowered herself onto his lap. She bit her lip, trying to keep herself in check as she rolled her hips against him, just enough to tease. Aelyn huffed out a breath as she repeated the motion, making him groan as his length slid against her. She began to find a rhythm, teasing and relenting, torturing them both with the repeated motion that didn’t quite satisfy. It was driving him mad; it wasn’t enough. He needed to feel her, hear her, know that she was alive right there with him; he needed to touch her. Val unexpectedly flexed his hips, nearly driving into her. She pulled away, frowning. 

“I said behave.” Aelyn scolded and was met with Val’s burning gaze as he licked his lips. 

“Sweetheart, I think you’re misunderstanding something.” A sudden static filled the space between them, and Aelyn found herself holding her breath. “You’re terrible at tying knots.”

“What-” She didn’t even get her response out before he’d pulled free of the rope and flipped her on her back, forcing the air out of her lungs in a squeak that was devoured by his kiss. 

His mouth ravaged hers as he slid his hand between her legs. Finally, with her overwhelming his senses, he could free himself from the strange tightness in his chest that had taken hold of him. He dragged his lips down her chest, making her gasp and whine as his teeth teased her breast. 

The heat raging between them successfully banished any thoughts beyond that moment, and he revelled in it. He marvelled at how even a slight pressure from his fingers inside her was enough to make her unravel. 

Her hips lifted, back arching slightly as a little cry slipped from her, and she clenched around his touch. Aedra take him, he could watch her come for him all night. The little crease between her brows that formed when her mouth stretched into a perfect ‘O’ as she tried not to cry out too loudly – he wanted to see it over and over again. He was being a little rough, curling his fingers into her without reprieve, but she wasn’t complaining, her breath rasping, her hips moving with his hand as he kept going. 

Her body tightened, her muscles spasmed until she was unable to draw breath as he pulled her higher and higher. Her mouth opened and closed uselessly as her eyes nearly rolled back. She was floudering, trying to find anything to brace against to keep herself grounded and failing. 

By the time he finally withdrew his hand, her eyes were watering. She gasped for air, pulling each breath into her lungs like it was her first. Her legs trembled, and he sat back on his heels between her knees. A satisfied smirk played on his lips as Aelyn moaned, still feeling the after effects. He’d taken her over the edge and held her there, and she felt embarrassed by how much she’d liked it. 

Normally, he’d have given her more time to adjust; he’d have drawn out the build-up of lust between them before sending her over the edge, but there were too many things he didn’t want to think about, and he had plans to keep himself distracted tonight. 

Her eyes were still glazed over when Val pulled her leg over his hip, lining himself up with her entrance. She seemed to enjoy the slightly firmer touch, but still he eased into her, his eyes shuttering closed at the sensation of being enveloped by her. He placed his palm on her chest, feeling her heart beat against it as he moved. Alive. They were both alive. 

Aelyn rolled her hips, rising to meet him, feeling like her heart might burst. She burned for him under his inscrutable focus. His palm on her chest, holding her in place as he wrecked her senses. She gripped the wrist that held her down with one hand as her fingers pressed into his thigh. She needed more; she needed his arms around her; the distance was too much. The want in her eyes must have been clear; he folded forward, wrapping her in his embrace, their foreheads touching, sharing the same breath in the moments before their inevitable ruin. 

Aelyn whimpered, nearly sobbed, as she buried her face in his shoulder, inhaling his scent, overwhelming herself with his presence as she felt the pull behind her navel, just before her vision went white. All she could feel was him filling her until she overflowed and broke apart. It didn’t matter anymore – what jagged edges were left in her heart because he shattered her completely in that moment. She had been wholly unmade as she crested, falling into Oblivion, or Aetherius, it was hard to tell, and truth be told, she didn’t care. She vaguely heard him saying something, but she couldn’t hear over the rushing sound in her ears as spots appeared before her eyes. 

They fell into a tangled mess, with Val’s face buried in the pillow. She couldn’t see his face, but he still didn’t let her go. It took a monumental effort for Aelyn to roll onto her side, her lids heavy as she stroked his back and traced his tattoos with her fingertips. After a moment, he turned his head to look at her, surprising her with a soft kiss. A kiss with no intent behind it. He wasn’t seducing her, as that had already happened. He wasn’t distracting her; he wasn’t doing anything. Other than kissing her, and that made her feel… happy.

Aelyn woke in the moments before dawn, the space in the bed beside her cold. Her mind still groggy, she rubbed her eyes with a sigh. Val sat on the edge of the bed, his back to her. 

“Val?” She called to him softly, and his head turned every so slightly, acknowledging her. 

After a moment, he turned to her with troubled eyes but a soft smile on his lips. He leaned down and kissed her forehead—an odd thing for him to do, but she was too tired to question it. 

“Go back to sleep.” He whispered, pushing her hair back from her face before standing up and pulling on his trousers. 

“Where are you going?” She wanted to do as he said, to fall back into that dreamless slumber she’d been roused from, but an anxiety was beginning to bloom. Val paused, looking at her for a moment. The war that had been raging in his eyes a moment prior replaced with a calm sort of resignation. 

“I’m not going anywhere.” His words seemed to hold another promise in them, deeper than she was able to understand at the moment. “I’ll be just outside until it’s time to get up.” He pointed toward the door with his thumb, and she nodded, seemingly satisfied with his answer. 

Val tugged on his shirt and padded out into the little sitting area. The fire in the hearth had burned low; he threw a log on and coaxed it back to life before taking a seat. He’d been awake for some time already and didn’t want to disturb Aelyn. He hadn’t wanted to think about it, but it was hard to deny in the quiet hours before dawn with nothing but himself between his heart and his thoughts. He’d tried to push the notion away, even being as aware of it as he was. And then he’d said it. She hadn’t heard him, he knew that. She’d come so hard on that last round that he had worried she might black out. But at the same time… She’d been so brilliantly alive in that moment, and the words had just tumbled out.

I love you. 

Chapter Text

He’d collected himself before the sun rose, having boxed up the words he’d let slip the night prior before they could do any more damage… until he’d had to wake her. She’d looked so peaceful, her honey-brown hair in tangles on the pillow, the blanket twisted around her legs. Val smiled despite himself, a lightness growing in his chest that seemed to eclipse all else. 

Aelyn woke to feeling something soft and warm tracing up her shoulder. She’d slept so soundly, but Val’s lips against her neck made her feel restless again. He trailed kisses along her jaw, finally pressing his lips against hers, bringing every moment of the night prior back to the forefront of her mind. She flushed deeply, remembering the near-out-of-body experience she’d had right before passing out completely. 

Aelyn rolled over to face him, finding Val lying in bed beside her, half-dressed. His eyes seemed filled with a gentle sort of warmth that left her feeling scattered and listless at the same time. Something had changed, and the air between them felt different, though she couldn’t put her finger on what.

“Good morning.” He rasped, pulling her a little closer. 

“Good morning,” She smiled, feeling giddy for some reason. She snuggled up to him, seeking another good-morning kiss. He leaned in as she closed her eyes to relish in the sensation. 

She kissed him slowly, savoring each movement of their lips. The warmth of his body pressed against hers, the uneven stutter of his breath, the way his hand tangled in her hair. She had no idea what this was anymore, and he’d refused to give her a straight answer, but she couldn’t deny the irresistible pull she felt toward him, the comfort of his arms around her, the heat of desire in his eyes. 

It took them some time to get ready to leave. Aelyn slipped out of the room first, combing her fingers through her hair, attempting to look presentable. She climbed the stairs to the main floor, bumping into someone waiting at the top. 

“Oh! There you are!” Remi grinned, taking her by the arm and pulling her up the last few steps. “You went to bed so early last night, we didn’t even get to drink.” 

“Well, I was pretty tired…” Aelyn muttered, not making eye contact, now wondering if the soreness she felt in her legs was from the mad dash from Helgen to Riverwood or something else. 

“You and Val both. Val is usually a bit of a night owl, too. Have you seen him? Gore said he wasn’t there when he woke up or when he went to bed.” Remi pulled open the door to the inn, the sunlight beaming through the doorway, illuminating them as they stepped outside. 

“I’m sure he’ll turn up.” Aelyn smiled. Gore waited outside the door for them, his arms crossed over his chest. 

“Mornin’.” Gore grunted as they passed. Aelyn nodded to him, noting the dark circles under his eyes and his haggard expression. “Why’s the sun so bright…” he muttered as they passed by him.

Remi and Aelyn leaned against the stone wall along the road, opposite the inn. The chill of the morning air made Aelyn shiver slightly, in contrast with the warm rays of sunlight that peeked over the mountain top behind them. 

“Are you sure you want to adopt a Nord who draws Thalmor to us?” Remi said disparaging the slightly built warrior. “He might be more trouble than he’s worth, even if I think Scrap likes him.” The little automaton perked up, poking its little gyro out of Remi’s backpack where it stayed covertly hidden away while they were out in town.

“I think he’s going to fit in just fine. Besides, who else would you drink under the table? Val can hold his own, and I know better.” Aelyn chuckled, then paused when she felt someone’s eyes on her. 

As Val stepped out onto the road, his eyes wandered toward her. Aelyn was talking with Remi about something, but they were far enough away that he couldn’t overhear. She glanced up at him, their eyes meeting briefly, a little smile turning up the corner of her lips as a faint blush colored her cheeks. Gore stopped beside him, his gaze tracking Val’s line of sight as well as his grin. 

“What’s got you smiling so early?” Gore asked, frowning at the man’s cheerful expression. 

“Just a nice day.” He cleared his throat, checking the buckles on his coat absently as Gore gave him a doubtful look. 

“Come on, Val. I’m not an idiot.” Gore folded his arms over his chest, and his deep brown eyes gave Val a critical look. 

“That’s debatable.” Val adjusted his sword belt that held his sabre before crossing the road, ignoring Gore’s exasperated sigh behind him. “Let’s get moving. The tide and good weather wait for no one.” His usual smirk was back as he trotted down the steps away from Gore. 

The road to Whiterun snaked lower and lower, back and forth beside the river, which tumbled ferociously down the mountainside, creating a frothing spray that would mist over you if you stood too close to the edge. They passed a troop of Imperial soldiers, escorting a prisoner, and a chill ran down Aelyn’s spine. Sometimes it was all too easy to forget the political climate of Skyrim. 

The Stormcloaks were led by the very same Ulfric Stormcloak they had encountered in Helgen, also known as the Bear of Markarth. Aelyn had never actually met the man in person, but his reputation preceded him, especially in Markarth. Ulfric wanted to claim independence for Skyrim, and maybe that was right – but his road to independence was red with innocent blood. 

He’d murdered High King Torryg, and while he’d done so during a challenge, as was the custom in Skyrim, the challenge was never warranted in the first place. The High King wasn’t at odds with Ulfric or his idea of a free Skyrim. Ulfric wanted to make an impression and had decided someone needed to die in order to do it. Or maybe he was just obsessed with power and wanted Skyrim for himself. There was no way to really know. 

The Imperial Legion had also been present at Helgen. Their presence in Skyrim was a direct response to Ulfric’s actions. Skyrim was, after all, a province of the Empire. They were sent to keep order, headed by General Tullius, and based in Solitude. 

The province lay divided, some Jarls siding with Ulfric, and others with the Empire.

The soldiers glared as they passed them by, the iron chain clinking as they pushed their prisoner forward. The sharp rocks in the road were stained red from his bare feet, which had turned black at the toes from frostbite. Aelyn frowned. Perhaps neither side was entirely blameless. 

“Ah, Whiterun,” Gore said, puffing his chest out a little as they turned toward the view of Dragonsreach rising out of the plains. “The Companions settled here ages ago, but any strategic advantage it had against the Falmer at the time is long gone.”

“Well, now it’s a major trade hub.” Aelyn shrugged her shoulders.

“We should go see Belethor, I heard he’ll buy just about anything. Sell it too.” He mused as Remi excitedly interjected.

“While we’re here, I’ll show you what a two-for-one deal is, okay?” Remi grinned at the young Nord as they made their way up the winding path to the city gates. “Whiterun’s market is perfect for such a demonstration.”  

“Can we do it in the Drunken Huntsman instead?” Gore brought the rear of their group, as Aelyn and Val passed by him.“Mead for you, mead for me. Sounds perfect!”

“Well...” Remi mused, tilting her chin slightly upward in thought before a mischievous grin spread across her face, “I suppose changing the venue for our classes wouldn’t hurt.” She nearly walked into Val’s back as Aelyn and Val stopped short before the gate, a guard’s spear blocking their path. 

“What’s this about?” Val’s lips pressed into a thin line. 

“Halt!” The guard shouted, making Remi jump. 

“We’re halted.” Aelyn glanced around, looking confused. 

“Cities closed with the dragons about.” The guard announced, trying his best to sound official. 

“Closed? How do you close a city?” Remi’s hands went to her hips, a frown forming as she lifted her chin. “What about the people who work out here? They need to be able to come in and out of the gates –”

“I uh-It’s closed-” The guard flinched, unprepared for the outrage of a small Breton woman. 

“What do you mean by ‘closed’?” Remi leaned in menacingly, “Do you no longer have a responsibility to the innocent citizens of the hold who live here? Who said the city was closed?”

“T-The Jarl?” The guard cowered, sounding unsure as to who had even issued the order in the first place. 

“Good! We want to see him! Close the city?! I want to speak with the Jarl right away!” She demanded, looming over the guard. 

“Y-yes, right away, ma’am.” The guard, anxious to appease the angry Breton, turned and began to crank the winch that opened the large wooden gate, ushering the four of them through and closing the heavy door behind them in a hurry. 

On the other side of the gate, Gore, Aelyn, and Val stared at Remi, unsure of what had just occurred. Remiel, seemingly oblivious, stared back. A long moment passed between the four of them. 

“What?” Remi finally asked, confused. “We needed to get in, didn’t we? Besides, who closes a city?”

“You know what? It doesn’t matter.” Val announced, turning away, heading for the steps that led to the Wind District. 

“Not even a ‘thank-you’?” Remi muttered as they moved along. 

“Thank you, Remi.” Aelyn patted her back with a smile, and Remi grinned in response.

The four of them made their way past the homes of some of the more affluent denizens of Whiterun. She had been to Whiterun several times but never ventured beyond the plains district. There had never been a reason to until now, and she found herself wishing it was for a purpose less dire. 

As they made their way toward the Jarl’s Keep, she couldn’t help but stare in awe at the giant tree in the center of an elaborate city garden. It was circled by manmade waterways that directed natural runoff from the large rocky pinnacle that Dragonsreach sat upon. The water collected into two large pools on either side of a massive stair that led up to the Keep, and from there, they diverted around the central garden where the large tree sat, towering over the rest of the city, and out toward the various areas of Whiterun. 

“You know, I’ve always wanted to see the Gildergreen.” Val looked up at the tree with a frown, pausing for a moment. Not a single flower bloomed, nor a single leaf fluttered on its branches. It looked barren. “In this state, it’s kinda sad.” He looked around the area, guards and merchants passed the tree by, as a priest cried out his sermon, and never once did any of them glance upward. “Like everyone’s just going through the motions around it.”

“I thought you were raised in the New Temple Faith?” Aelyn paused, also looking up at the tree. A certain sadness gripped her heart for a moment as she contemplated the symbol of Kyne. 

“I think most sailors have a certain…” Val paused, finding the right word: “Respect for Kynareth.”

“Rightfully so, I’d think,” Gore added as they moved on toward Dragonsreach. Aelyn nodded in understanding as they passed by the tree and began to climb the stairs to the Keep.

Val seemed to have no issue, jauntily climbing the stairs, followed by Aelyn, then Gore, who seemed slightly out of breath, while Remi struggled, lagging behind. She stopped multiple times to catch her breath, then raced to catch up, only to fall behind again. She joined them at the top of the stairs, red-faced and out of breath, scowling as Gore smirked at her lack of stamina. 

“Hang on- just let me catch my breath…” Remi panted, with her hands on her knees. “Just a moment…”

“Gods, we’ll be here all afternoon,” Gore muttered. 

The massive doors of Dragonsreach waited for them. A bridge across a pond of water, likely the source of the reservoirs below, connected the top of the stairs to the Keep. They passed by two guards at the top of the stairs and crossed the bridge toward large, carved doors, each depicting dragons in the traditional Nordic style, with elongated necks, breathing fire down toward those who would pass them by. Two more guards stood beside the doors, grimacing as they approached. 

“The Jarl isn’t receiving visitors at the moment. Emergency court session.” One of them said definitively. 

“We have news about the dragon attack.” Aelyn piped up, “We’ve come from Helgen.” Open shock was the first response to her words before the guard remembered how to speak. 

“Helgen? Truly? The Jarl will want to see you then.” The guards exchanged a look and then nodded. They turned to push the doors open, gesturing for the four of them to enter.

Aelyn’s eyes went wide as they stepped into the Keep. The ceilings rose to an unfathomable height, supported by carved pillars and ornately designed buttresses. Guards stood by in the open area just inside the door, lined with intricately carved benches for those awaiting an audience with the Jarl. Wide stairs led up to the area where the court was held. The Keep seemed relatively empty, save for the sound of heated voices carrying from the open area at the top of the stairs. 

“More stairs?” Remi groaned as they started toward them. 

“Aw, what’s a matter, Remi? Just a little climb.” Gore teased. 

The upper level was a traditional setting for Skyrim, a large central hearth with long tables that ran the length of it, shelterd below a lofty gallery above, and at the end of the great hall, a short set of steps the led to the raised dais where the Jarl’s throne sat, flanked by the seats of his Thanes and advisors. A small group of officials gathered around the throne where the Jarl sat, his brow creased, frowning at what they were saying. 

 “We should send troops to Riverwood at once, they’re in the most immediate danger…” A female voice rang out.

 “The Jarl of Falkreath might see that as a provocation and think we’re preparing to join Ulfric’s side and attack him. We must take caution…”

 The Jarl was holding an audience at the moment, raised voices went back and forth as they approached the dais. A Dunmer woman in Morrowind armor with dark auburn hair and eyes glanced their way, taking notice of the small party approaching the throne. She stopped mid-sentence, drawing her sword at the interlopers. Aelyn jumped backward as the woman drew near, fury painted across her features.

 “What’s the meaning of this interruption?! Jarl Balgruuf is not receiving any visitors!” She demanded with a tone of authority.

 “Ah, I have news, we came from Helgen. We have news about the dragon attack.” Aelyn’s voice echoed thinly off the rafters above them. She nervously glanced upward, following the sound, spying two small faces peering over the railing of the gallery above.

 “Well, that explains why the guards let you in, then.” The Dunmer woman sheathed her sword with a sigh, drawing Aelyn’s gaze back toward her. “The Jarl will want to speak with you.” She motioned for them to follow her up the short steps to the dias. Aelyn felt the Jarl’s eyes land on her. She hadn’t realized until that moment that as soon as the Dunmer had diverted her attention to Aelyn, so had the Jarl. He’d been observing their entire interaction, blatantly ignoring his advisor, who continued speaking until the Jarl cut him off. 

 “Who’s this then?” He had a deep, rich voice, thick with a Nord accent. Aelyn could tell he was past middle age, creases in his brow and around his mouth gave it away. His age did nothing to temper his dominating presence or the piercing, ice colored stare he gave her. His eyes were keener than she liked. She could tell he was tall, even from his seated position; then again, most Nord men were, and his body was still well muscled despite his age. His blonde hair was braided back into a clean swept look, his beard was also braided neatly. “Well?” He prompted when she stood there, dumbstruck.

 “We were at Helgen when a dragon attacked. There’s nothing left; last we saw, it was headed towards Whiterun.” Her voice sounded surprisingly steady.

 “By the Gods, Ireleth was right!” He exclaimed suddenly, eyes wide, brow furrowing further as he looked to a smaller, balding man who ignored them until that moment. “What say you now, Proventus? Should we still trust in the strength of our walls, against a dragon?!” The Jarl seemed agitated with the man, who seemed shorter by the second.

 “My Jarl, we should not-“

 “ENOUGH!” Jarl Balgruuf boomed, his voice filling the hall. “I’ll not sit idly by while a dragon burns my hold and slaughters my people! Ireleth, send a detachment to Riverwood at once.”

 “Yes, my Jarl.” The Dunmer woman headed toward the doors of the Keep, her chest puffed out in triumph. Proventus, deflated, grimacing like a child who’d dropped their sweetroll. 

 “If there’s nothing further, I’ll return to my duties,” Proventus said meekly, though still clearly disgruntled, as he stepped away.

 “That would be best.” Jarl Balgruuf sighed. He rubbed his brow, and then his eyes settled on Aelyn again. “You’ve done Whiterun a service, sought me out on your own initiative, I won’t soon forget it.” He paused and seemed to assess her, his eyes flicking to Val, Remi, and Gore standing behind her. “There is… one more thing. Something suitable to your particular talents, perhaps?” Aelyn tried not to pull a face. What in oblivion did that mean? Balgruuf grinned. “Come, let us go see Farangar, my court wizard. He’s been looking into these dragons and matters related to dragons…”

Chapter Text

“Farangar, I’ve found you an assistant for your little dragon project,” Balgruuf announced as he crossed the threshold of the wizard’s chamber, just off the main hall. A Nord with dark curling hair looked up abruptly, pushing a pair of glasses up his nose as they entered. 

“Hmmm? Oh! Yes, I see.” He grinned. The man was a little shorter than Balgruuf, with a wiry build, his hair was dark and curly, matching deep-set brown eyes that were nearly hidden by a thick brow and even thicker glasses. “Yes, yes, I could use someone to go fetch something for me.” The way he drew out the word fetch lent itself to an air of self-importance that grated against the nerves. “Well, when I say fetch, I really mean, delve into a dangerous ruin in search of an ancient tablet that may or may not actually be there.” He grinned, clearly not understanding what he was even asking for. 

“You want us to dig into a crumbling ruin, fight dragur and Gods know what else – Aren’t there guards for this sort of-” Gore sputtered, irritation painted across his features, earning him a glare from both Farengar and Balgruuf before Aelyn stepped in. 

“What exactly does this have to do with dragons?” She asked with a smile, smoothing things over.

“Ah, no mere brute mercenary but a thinker! Perhaps even a scholar?” Faregar seemed to light up at her inquiry before beginning to pace the floor dramatically as if he was unveiling a master plan. “Well, when the subject of dragons came up, I began to wonder, where had they gone all those years ago, and why had they suddenly started to reappear? I learned of a certain ancient stone table that may help with the answer.” Farangar turned around suddenly, searching Aelyn’s face, as if to check if she was listening. She hoped she had her best-listening face on; this guy was barely tolerable when he seemed to be in a good mood. She had no inclination to deal with him while he was upset. “Go to Bleak Falls Barrow, find the DragonStone – no doubt interred in the main chamber, and return it to me. Simplicity itself.” He clasped his hands together with a self-satisfied smile.

 “Anything you can tell us about Bleak Falls Barrow?” Aelyn asked, and Farangar scoffed, offended that she’d have any questions at all about his masterful plan.

 “Ah, it’s an old tomb dating back to the second era – oh, perhaps you just wanted to know how to get there? It’s near a miserable little village called Riverwood – no doubt one of the locals will point you in the right direction. Now, if that is all, I have important work to get back to.” He snapped at her, his patience for idle chatter growing thin. Balgruuf turned to Aelyn.

 “This is a priority. Succeed at this and you’ll be rewarded.” Jarl Bargruff said as he led them from the room. Aelyn nodded, turning toward Val, Remi, and Gore as the Jarl left them. 

“Ah, Jarl Balgruff, I have something very interesting I’d like to discuss with you,” Farengar said as he followed after him. He glanced at Aelyn. “What are you doing? Away with you, you have a mission to complete.” Farengar scurried out the door after the Jarl.

Val shifted his weight, arms crossed, leaning casually against the wall as the Jarl departed. His eyes flicked to Aelyn. “Well, that was charming. I already miss his warmth.”

Aelyn rolled her eyes. “We’re being sent into a draugr-infested ruin to dig up a rock for a man who couldn’t find his own toes in a hot spring.” Her voice carried.

“Not just any rock,” Remi reminded them, adjusting the strap of her pack. “A very important rock that will definitely not get us cursed or killed or entangled in the return of ancient dragon gods. Simplicity itself.”

Gore grunted, rubbing a hand down his face. “I’ll go, but I swear, if one of those dried corpses touches me, I’m burning the whole ruin to the ground.”

Val pushed off the wall. “Then let’s hope they touch you first. Could use the light.”

That earned a smirk from Aelyn. She turned, leading them out into the cold light spilling through Dragonsreach’s great doors. The wind met them immediately — sharp and dry.

As the heavy doors of Dragonsreach creaked shut behind them, a cold gust whipped down the stone steps, stinging their cheeks. Whiterun stretched out below them, bathed in pale gold light that couldn’t quite chase the frost from the air.

“That man is insufferable,” Gore grumbled. “Fetch, he says. Like we’re trained hounds.”

“Then stop growling and fetch,” Remi said, teasing, sidling past him with a scroll already in her hand, skimming it absently. 

“What’s that?” Gore asked, curiously looking at the scroll in her hand. 

“What? Farengar doesn’t need it.” Remi said before realizing she had just openly admitted to lifting it from the Court Wizard’s desk. Val smirked, and Aelyn shook her head.

Gore rolled his eyes but said nothing more, stomping down the stairs two at a time.

Val lingered near Aelyn, glancing sidelong at her. “So. Dangerous crypt full of undead and ancient dragon lore. Sounds romantic?”

“You really have a strange definition of romance,” she muttered, but there was a faint smile tugging at the edge of her mouth. “Though I wouldn’t mind some hot food and a bed before we go chasing ghosts again.”

“Then allow me,” Val said. “I could escort you to the finest inn this town has to offer?”

“The Bannered Mare?” she deadpanned.

“The very one. Rustic charm, overpriced stew, and guaranteed bedbugs. You deserve nothing less. We have some fond memories there if I recall.” Val grinned

She shook her head, but didn’t protest. They made their way through Whiterun’s streets. As they passed the Gildergreen, Val slowed just slightly, eyes catching on the dying tree, its branches brittle, stripped of life.

“What a shame,” he murmured, mostly to himself.

Aelyn heard him but said nothing.

They crossed the stone bridge and wound down through the bustling market square. A bard’s lute echoed faintly from the inn ahead, probably the city’s infamous ‘Mikhail’, just over the sounds of merchants closing up stalls and guards arguing over patrols. By the time they reached the Bannered Mare, the sky had darkened with thick clouds over the Throat of the World, and a chill crept in despite the season. 

When they pushed open the door, the warmth from inside hit them like a wall. The inn’s hearth roared, casting flickering light over the room. The scent of spiced wine and roasted meat mingled with pipe smoke and old wood. It was loud, familiar, and alive.

Gore made a beeline for the mead.

Remi muttered something about needing a quiet corner to draw up schematics for Scrap’s new limb.

Aelyn just stood there for a moment, letting the warmth soak in. Val leaned close, just enough for his voice to brush her ear.

“Just one night of warmth before we freeze in that barrow.” His tone was playful, but there was something else under it — something quieter, restrained.

Aelyn didn’t look at him right away. She didn’t have to. She felt the weight of his gaze like a warm coin pressed against her skin.

“Let’s settle in for the night,” Aelyn muttered before heading towards the bar. Val’s eyes lingered on Aelyn before he turned to Remi.

“How about I teach you how to hustle cards, Remi?” Val grinned. Remi’s eyes lit up.

“Well, I was going to work on Scrap’s designs but…” She didn’t mull it over for long. “Say less. Get the drinks, you’re buying.” Val laughed and shook his head as they set up at a table near the hearth. 

Val shuffled the deck with a practiced flourish, the cards snapping together like teeth. Remi leaned in, elbows on the table, watching with sharp eyes.

“Rule number one,” Val said, fanning the cards with a lazy flick of his wrist, “don’t look like you’re trying. If you look like you’re trying, you’re losing.”

Remi nodded solemnly, then ruined it by grinning. “Right. Natural. Totally casual. I can do that.”

Val dealt three cards face-down in front of her, his grin widening as her gaze tracked his hands. Remi peeked at her cards, immediately lifting her eyebrows. 

“Rule number two—” Val sighed. “Subtlety, Remi.”

“What? I didn’t say anything.”

“You didn’t have to.” He tapped the side of her forehead. “You shouted it with your face. That’s the first thing people bet against.”

Remi scrunched her nose, trying to force her expression back to neutral. “Okay. I’ll practice my poker face.” 

Val chuckled. “Forget it. Just… pretend you’re thinking about killing someone. Works for me.”

She smirked. “I’ll picture Calcelmo.”

He showed her a simple false shuffle, slipping one card to the bottom of the deck while keeping the rest in place. Then he slid it into her hand. “Now you try.”

Remi clumsily fumbled, nearly spilling the entire deck. A couple of locals glanced over. Val leaned in quickly, steadying the cards with his hands.

“Easy. Don’t strangle the cards, they’ll bite back.”

Remi huffed. “This is harder than it looks.”

“That’s why you practice on friends before fleecing strangers.” Val leaned back, smug. “And if you’re really terrible, you just distract them with a smile and let me do the stealing.”

Remi arched a brow. “You’re assuming I don’t plan on beating you first.”

That made Val laugh, warm and genuine. “Kid, if you ever beat me at my own game, I’ll buy your drinks for a week.”

Remi snapped the deck back into order with exaggerated flair, nearly dropping it again but managing to hold them together. “Deal.”

The fire snapped and hissed in the hearth, casting gold shadows over the cluttered wood of the Bannered Mare. Locals crowded the front tables, bellies full of mead and stories. The inn smelled of wet wool, sweat, and roasted venison.

Aelyn sat near the back corner, idly turning a tankard in her hands. Her thoughts slipped unbidden to Helgen—the boy who hadn’t made it. She couldn’t even recall his name. Hamming? The memory of the dragon loomed larger still, the echo of its words rattling in her head. No one else seemed to have heard them. Gore dropped into the seat across from her.

“You’re brooding,” Gore said, leaning forward, resting his chin on both hands like a gossiping old maid. “Thought you’d be busy talking to Val.”

“Did you learn that word recently?” Aelyn snorted. “He’s his own person. He can…” She trailed off, glancing to where Val and Remi were clearly up to no good near the hearth. Remi’s eyes gleamed with mischief, Val’s grin wide as he dealt out cards. Aelyn rolled her eyes. “Cause trouble as he pleases.” Gore grinned, studying her more closely. His fine-boned face didn’t quite match the rugged Nord ideal. “You don’t really look like a—”

“A warrior?” His expression shifted instantly, tone was even, but sharp at the edges. “Come to cleave heads with a mighty sword?”

“No, I—” She tried again, but he cut her off, shoulders tensing.

“Unfortunately, your physical appearance doesn’t change based on your preferred weapon.” He shifted the greatsword on his back as if to prove his point. “Life doesn’t follow a script. I’ve met mages that looked like they could rip you in half. Bartenders who looked like killers. Serving wenches that…” He paused, squinting suspiciously into his mug. “Well, they mostly look good enough. Might be the drink, though.”

Aelyn leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, one brow raised as she let him carry on.

“I look how I look, and much like I did, you’ll come to terms with it. I can swing this sword like an extension of my own arm.” He flexed, lifting his chin with the boast.

“I was going to say Nord,” she deadpanned.

Gore froze mid-flex, then flushed, the color creeping across his cheeks. “O-oh.” He cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably. “Sorry. When you hear the same thing over and over again, you start getting defensive.”

“It’s not an insult—” Aelyn hastened to add, sensing the awkwardness.

“Right. I suppose Cyrodiil and its Imperial hosts must’ve rubbed off on me? Not sure.” He looked away quickly.

“Maybe you’ve just got some Imperial heritage,” she prodded.

“Maybe,” Gore muttered, his gaze distant for a moment as though the thought wasn’t new to him. Then he shook it off, focusing on her again. “So, what brought you to Skyrim? Or are you from here?”

“To Skyrim? Uh…” Aelyn toyed with her tankard, weighing how much truth to give. “Work, mostly. I met Remi while I was working for Calcelmo. He fired us. Remi hates his guts. We ended up at the Museum in Solitude after that.”

Gore gave her a long, critical look that said he saw straight through the watered-down version. But he didn’t press. He’d been evasive himself. They both had shadows they weren’t ready to hunt that night.

Suddenly, Remi appeared at their table, grinning. Both Aelyn and Gore looked up at her in surprise.

“Alright. Let’s play cards,” she said, dropping into the chair beside Gore as if they hadn’t just watched Val teach her how to cheat, already shuffling a deck she’d procured from somewhere.

Gore puffed out his chest. “You’re on, little sister! Loser picks up my tab for the night.”

Remi’s eyes gleamed with confident mischief.

Aelyn laughed and stood up. “I think I’m turning in for the night.” She left Gore and Remi to their antics.

She was halfway across the tavern, headed toward the stairs, when she was yanked into a seat by the fire. She didn’t have to look; she’d know the feel of those hands on her waist anywhere.

“What are you doing?” Aelyn wriggled, trying to right herself after landing awkwardly in Val’s lap. “There are plenty of other seats. I don’t need to sit in your lap…”

“This one’s closer to the fire.” He grinned.

“Closer to the fire or closer to you?” she shot back, side-eying him with suspicion.

“They aren’t mutually exclusive,” he murmured, lips close to her ear. “And I happen to consider myself an opportunist.” His hand slid up her thigh.

“Val—” she hissed, straightening, scooting back into his chest. Across the hearth, two soldiers glanced their way. “There are people watching.”

“I know.” The way his lips grazed her ear sent a shiver through her belly.

“Behave,” Aelyn warned him.

“Let me steal a kiss, then. I’ll be on my best behavior all night.” He teased as his hand started to wander again.

“If you behave, you can kiss me all you like—but not here.”

“How long?” he asked, sudden impatience in his voice. Aelyn paused, realizing just how much of the upper hand she had.

“Finish your drink,” she smirked. Val’s brows rose, then he lifted the pint and drained it in one go.