Trace and Vex arrived at the front of Goldenglow Estate and Vex started checking for any noises within.

 

Vex: Hmmm… What luck! Doesn’t seem like they’ve noticed that we’ve be wreaking havoc out here… Now how should we go about this…

Vex: I think one of us should wait here while the other one goes in from the back and takes out the mercenaries leading up to the front. If anything should happen, the person out here can burst in for the save and throw the mercenaries into chaos.

Trace wasn’t listening to Vex. She just kept playing back what had just happened between them trying to see where she went wrong… why Vex didn’t accept her feelings…

 

Trace: Uh-huh… yeah… sure…

Vex: Don’t play with me Trace! You’re the one that came here to help me out! You’re also the one that made a mess of things between us. So don’t start sulking now that we’ve gotten to the hard part.

Trace: I’m… I’m sorry Vex…

 

Vex laughed and shook her head.

 

Vex: Heh, no problem. Now let’s get to—

 

Trace: (I… I can’t do this…) No, I don’t think you understand… I’m sorry Vex, but your on your own like you wanted.

Vex: H-hey!! Wait!!

 

But it was too late. Trace ran off as fast as her legs would take her leaving Vex and Goldenglow behind her.

Trace: Haa… haaaa….

 

Trace felt so tired, so out of it. She knew it was because she’d been holding back tears this entire time, but even so it felt like there was just a gigantic pressure on her that she couldn’t shake no matter what.

Halfway to Riften, Trace began to doubt whether or not she’d made the right choice.

 

Trace: Maybe I should go back? Vex might need my—

 

No, she just wanted Vex to need her help. Trace knew in her heart that Vex would be okay. Vex showed her that she could handle her help, and if Trace were to show up after leaving so abruptly she’d only make things worse.

Trace: Gods… I should have never come to Riften… Mjoll’s never going to talk to me, Vex is completely done with me…

Trace: And Astrid’s going to send assassins after me!!

 

It was too much. Trace broke down at that moment and as the tears flowed down her cheeks all she felt was more and more anguish. She had broken up all of the most meaningful relationships she’d ever had, and had no idea where to start to fix them. Wit she had. Trace could outfox a fox on her worst day, but wisdom? She’d always depended on people like Brynjolf, Delvin, and Babette for matters of wisdom.

Trace got up and began to sluggishly continue towards Riften.

 

Trace: That’s it… I can ask Bryn… He’ll know what I should do…

By the time Trace was rounding up on the city’s gate, she felt a lot better. In fact that cry kind of made her feel rejuvenated.

 

Trace: I think I might stop by Marise’s stall, get the Guild some good meat today.

 

???: That’s her! That’s her right there!!

 

Trace: (Oooooh, someone’s screwed!)

Hofgrir: That’s the thief that assaulted me and stole my horse!!

Within seconds Trace was surrounded by three guards, the suddenness of it all made Trace forget herself.

 

Guard 2: Stop right there you criminal scum!!

 

Trace: Whoa whoa whoa!! What’s going on? I’m a law abiding citizen!

 

Guard 1: Halt! You have committed crimes against Skyrim and her people. What say you in defense?

Trace: The fuck? I’ve committed no crime! (At least not recently… I… think?)

Guard 1: Trace, you’re wanted for assault and horse theft. Do you deny these charges against you?

Before she could stop herself, Trace slapped her forehead and shook her head.

 

Trace: (How in the world was I so sloppy? I should have gagged him and locked him up somewhere… Who just leaves a victim where guards will easily be able to find and assist them?) Good going Trace… The must call you Trace, Miss Good Idea…

Hofgrir: See the look on her face? Guilty as the day she was born!

 

Guard 1: How would you like us to handle this sir? A fine? Jail time?

Trace looked into Hofgrir’s eyes and only saw malice. Any signs of mercy were absent, and Trace knew the next words out of his mouth before he said it.

 

Hofgrir: Lock her up, for as long as you can!

Just because she knew what he was going to say didn’t make it any easier to hear or take. Trace darted toward Hofgrir with rage on her lips/

 

Trace: You son-of-a-bitch! I’ll kill you! I’ll fucking kill—

The guard who had been doing all of the talking suddenly struck her in the spine with with his spear.

 

Trace: Gods!! The heck was—

The guard then tripped Trace with his foot and she fell head first at Hofgrir’s feet and was knocked unconscious.

 

Guard 1: You’re not going to kill anyone in my Hold, criminal!

The guards saluted Hofgrir who was looking down on Trace with a smug look on his face.

Guard 1: We’ll be taking the criminal along now. Good day citizen.

Hofgrir: Yes… it’s a good day indeed.

 

Hofgrir then heartily laughed as the guard trio lifted Trace and drug her off to jail.

Trace regained consciousness just in time to be thrown head first into her cell.

Guard: Listen and listen well, lowlife. My name’s Vunrek and as long as you’re here, I’m your best friend, your worst enemy, and your God.

Vunrek: Screw around here girl, and I’ll make sure you don’t leave in nearly the same condition you arrived. Mentally or physically.

Vunrek spat on her and then walked off as he began humming “The Age of Oppression”.

When his footsteps got far enough away, Trace tried to crawl to her bed just so she wouldn’t have to sleep on this cold dirty floor. But she felt extremely weak and wasn’t able to move more than a foot before her arms gave out and she started panting.

Vunrek: Hahahaha! You like that cocktail? We give that to all the new tenants. Something of a welcoming gift. For some it just makes them lose the feeling in their body. For others, it gives nothing more than a slight buzz. But for some… specifically Imperials, it acts like skooma. And makes them—

 

Trace: Y-y-y-you bastard!! What did you give—

Suddenly Trace began to have intense stomach pains and she couldn’t breathe. As she gasped for air on the cold stone floor, Vunrek’s laugher hauntingly echoed through her head taunting her. It felt like the Gods had forsaken her, and the moment Trace was ready to give up on everything she closed her eyes ready to accept death’s sweet embrace.

 

…but it was not meant to be.

It took trace several days to recover from the ordeal, but she felt weak almost brittle. She hadn’t been hounded by Vunrek since the event, but another voice took his place.

 

???: Why are you still alive? Why don’t you just die? You’ve got nothing going for you anyway…

 

Trace: Shut up! Just… shut up…

???: You’ve been in here for almost a week! No one’s come for you, not even to visit. Not Mjoll, Brynjolf, Vex, heck not even Astrid who you know could easily sneak in here. Face it, your families have abandoned you. And now you’re stuck in here… with me…

 

Whatever this voice was, it was right. Someone from the Guild should have visited her. Rrynjolf? Delvin? Rune? Even Vekel should have! They all treated her like a little sister and she thought they’d at least simply visit her. But it seemed like the Guild only took care of its own now…

???: Too bad this all stemmed from you trying to fix your relationship with that hard ass Nord bitch. Fix, such an odd term to use when in fact your current relationship is the only relationship you would have ever had if you’d been honest from the start.

 

Trace: SHUT UP!!!

 

Trace got to her feet and punched the bars to her cell with all that she had. The thud that accompanied it resonated throughout the jail and laughter could be heard from one of the prisoners below.

Trace: That’s a lie… I just messed it up! All I have to do is tell them all the truth! That’ll fix things!!

 

???: There you go with that word fix. Mjoll hates thieves and murderers; you were part of the Dark Brotherhood and the Thieves Guild. Astrid has a thing for you; but would never leave her husband and doesn’t hesitate to send assassins after you. Vex wants to be number one in your life and the truth; but not only do you have feelings for Mjoll and Astrid, you can’t even talk to Vex to tell her the truth! Face it. It’s not your relationships that are broken, it’s you!

Trace: I’m not broken. I’m not…

 

There was no denying that she had faults. She was self-conscious about her looks, afraid to hurt the people she loved which in turn causes her to hurt them more than she could imagine, and she’s afraid of rejection which is why it was it was Mjoll, Vex, and Astrid who came onto her even though she harbored feelings for them long before that.

Trace: Maybe I just need to let go… Forget about everything and just focus on me. It’s not like I can fix anything on the outside anyways…

And so she did just that. Over the next three weeks Trace just did a lot of self-reflecting and began to realize a multitude of things about herself, mainly that she absolutely hated to be alone, which is probably why she gravitated to groups like the Dark Brotherhood and the Thieves Guild.

That may also have been why she legitimately was in love with three completely different women and couldn’t just choose one. It wasn’t for self-gratification. It wasn’t because a lack of intimacy. She didn’t know how, but with each of them it was love at first sight. Vex was the cool beauty that was off putting, but was also gentle and unbelievably caring to those she loved. Mjoll was the complete opposite of Vex in terms of attitude. Mjoll was warm where Vex was cold, loving where Vex spat venom, but they both treated Trace exactly the same with love, affection, caring and intimacy. And then there was Astrid…

Trace stopped doing this whole self-reflection seeing as it was too much about how others treated her rather than who she really was. Thinking about those girls was causing her mental anguish so Trace settled on doing some meditation to clear her mind.

The first few days she did this, there was little effect. But by the end of her fourth week in jail, Trace felt like she was one with herself and those around her. She could feel the energies and feelings of those around her and it calmed her greatly that no one that was imprisoned harbored ill will towards her.

Once she’d finished her spiritual connection with herself, she began to mend her physical connection.

It started off rough, but soon she felt back in top shape and was running around her cell throwing all kinds of kicks and punches with the simplest of ease.

After two weeks Trace had gotten back into peak condition, but refused to try and mend her mental connection.

There was too much going on in her head, and seeing as she had untapped her spiritual connection, she would just meditated anytime she thought of the trio and of what could have been.

And so for an additional two weeks, Trace just trained and trained making sure not to get dehydrated or injure herself. The latter was much easier than the former because the guards rarely brought her any water, but for some reason left her with a rather impressive spread of cheese…

Trace had just finished training during her ninth week of being imprisoned when a weird thought popped into her head.

 

Trace: I suck at pull ups… Both Astrid and Vex have told me this before when they were shadowing me…

 

She looked up and saw a beam sticking out overhead.

 

Trace: I did say I’d get to practicing it eventually… might as well do it now. Seeing as I have the time.

Trace jumped into the air and grabbed onto the beam with all that she had. Her grip on it wasn’t the best, but it was good enough and Trace was rather surprised that she wasn’t having trouble supporting her weight.

 

Trace: (Did I lose weight? Fucking Gabriella would bust a gut if she knew…) Anyway, let’s go.

Trace: One!

When Trace came down, her arms were on fire and she felt out of breath. She knew that her and pull ups didn’t mix, but she didn’t think it was this bad.

 

Trace: Haa…. Haaa…. At least this is progress… Now then…

Trace: Twoooooo—

 

The door to her cell swung open and Trace knew immediately who it was. It wasn’t Ekkla, the sweet girl who had moved to Riften from Ivarstead. It also wasn’t Sorrul, the guard who was always hitting on her and wouldn’t take no for an answer.

Vunrek: What in the!?! Get down from there you wretch!!

 

It was Vunrek, the asshole who drugged her and had been plaguing her for the past month. He always had that dumb look on his face that made you just want to punch him until his face caved in.

Trace dropped down and scowled.

 

Trace: (What does this moron want?)

 

Vunrek: Good, good… I’ll have you properly trained yet!

Trace resisted the urge to throw him over the railing outside her cell and steadied her breathing. It was one of the ways she’d been coping with stress since she’d been locked up.

 

Trace: So what brings you here today?

 

Vunrek: Not what, who. Surprise, surprise. You’ve got a visitor.

Trace laughed and cast her eyes towards the floor.

 

Trace: There’s no one on the outside that wants to see me that wouldn’t have already. I mean I’ve been locked up for two months! Why would anyone visit me now?

???: There are plenty of people that want to come see you. Sometimes their work just gets in the way, lass.

Trace: Br…Bryn!?

 

Trace couldn’t believe this was happening. She used to dream that someone, anyone even Maven, would come to visit her. But Brynjolf!? This was way more than she could have imagined. She was so overcome with happiness that she was brought to tears.

 

Trace: I never… I never thought…

Brynjolf: Come here.

 

He grabbed Trace by the arm and brought her close to her embracing her. It was so warm, the contact of another human. She could stay here, wrapped in his arms forever and be content. Maybe this was all she ever wanted?

 

Trace: Hugs… the ultimate cure-all…

 

Brynjolf: You say something, lass?

Trace: No, nothing at all. I’m so glad you came Bryn.

 

Brynjolf: As am I. You’re looking well for a ‘first time offender’. Considering Vunrek’s your jailer.

They separated from each other and Brynjolf grabbed Trace by the hands.

 

Trace: What took you so long?

 

Brynjolf: As I said, my job kept me away. The Guild is in quite a way right now.

 

Trace: What’s going on?

Brynjolf: For starters Mercer’s fucked everything up! We got a tip about who was behind the Guild’s recent run of misfortune. Apparently it was linked to Gulum-Ei.

 

Trace: Tsk! That slimy bastard!

 

Brynjolf: Vex decided to see everything through because she’d been handling all the assignments from Maven and this was also connected. After shaking down the Argonian, she found out that it was in fact Karliah that had been sabotaging us.

Trace: No way…

 

Brynjolf: Not only that, when Vex and Mercer went to take the Dunmer out, apparently Mercer turned on Vex and it was Karliah who saved her!

 

Trace: That… that doesn’t sound possible!!

 

Brynjolf: Aye, I know. Not only that, Mercer’s robbed us blind! We’ve got nothing to our name. Nothing! And now Karliah’s at the Guild getting interrogated… Everything’s a mess…

Trace: H-hey, how’s Vex doing? You said Mercer attacked her, is she alright now?

Brynjolf: She is… physically at least…

 

Trace: What do you mean?

 

Brynjolf shook his head and facepalmed.

 

Brynjolf: You screwed everything up you know. After you left her at Goldenglow, Vex barely got out with her life, then she comes back to Riften only to find out that you’ve been locked up for horse theft. Vex felt like it was her fault that you’d been put away and has been doing any and everything in her power to get you out. But really… HORSE THEFT!? Gods, lass… What were you thinking?

Trace: Ehehee, she does care about me…

 

Brynjolf: That was never a question, lass.

 

Trace: But she said—

Brynjolf: Vex isn’t true with her feelings. She, like you, comes to me with her love issues and from the looks of things you two could be doing much better if you’d both just talk to each other.

 

Trace: Thanks for saying that…

 

The two of them fell into silence for a bit as the question that had been left unasked was still in the air. Until that is, Trace asked it.

 

Trace: So are you here to get me out?

Brynjolf: When the day started I was, but after finding out that the Guild has no funds—

 

Trace leaned against the wall and laughed.

 

Trace: Don’t worry about it, Bryn. I knew that if I wasn’t out by now, I’d have to serve my full sentence. It’s no big deal…

Trace: Just make sure you make Mercer pay! He crippled the Guild, but more importantly he hurt Vex! I want that bastard dead… Dead you hear me!!

 

Brynjolf: Don’t worry lass. Although the matter of which one is of more importance is up for debate, everyone wants Mercer to pay for his actions. I’ll make sure to bring you his head.

 

Trace nodded and hugged Brynjolf one more time.

Vunrek: Alright then you two, that’s time! Stop with all the lovey dovey bullshit and get out of there thief!

Brynjolf nodded and was escorted out of the cell. Trace waved him off until he left her line of sight. She then leaned on the bars of her cell and slid to the floor with a blissful haze over her mind. The news that Vex wasn’t completely through with her lifted her spirit.

 

Trace: It’s not all over! There’s still a chance! Thank the Gods…

Trace: But Mercer? A betrayer? I never liked him, but… fuck this is bad! I need to get out of here! I need to help the Guild!! I need—

Trace heard a sound behind her and spun around and fell into a fighting stance.

 

Trace: Alright you, show yourself!!

???: Show myself? Jalena, I was never hiding.

Trace was stunned at the woman who stood before her. There was no way this was happening. No way that she’d show up here.

 

Trace: W-wh-what are you doing here?

Astrid: Listen up Jalena, We need to talk.