Three days passed while Trace waited for the perfect opportunity to do a break out. She had been ready the days she received her visitors, but breaking out the same day would have been suspicious and put Mjoll and the Guild in jeopardy and although Maven had pull with the Jarl to make sure the Guild wasn’t implicated, the same couldn’t be said of Mjoll.

In fact, Trace believed that Maven would utilize such a break out as an excuse to permanently throw the Nord in prison and be rid of her once and for all. And so Trace waited… and waited… all the while thinking of what she was going to do, and how she was going to do it. Tracking down Mercer and Cicero wasn’t going to be easy, but then again if it was Brynjolf and Astrid wouldn’t have come to her.

Trace heard two guards talking followed by the sound of the door to the jail closing. A few moments later she saw everyone’s favorite guard, Vunrek, begin his rounds.

A grin plastered itself on Trace’s face as things couldn’t be more perfect.

 

Trace: (Vunrek? Vunrek!! The Gods must be smiling on me indeed! I was almost afraid that I’d have to break out while Ekkla was on duty. Poor girl doesn’t deserve this… But Vunrek? Screw that bastard!!)

Trace hopped off her bed and balled up and waited.

When Vunrek’s footsteps got closer to her cell, Trace began screaming out in pain.

 

Trace: AAAAAAH!!! IT HURTS!!! GODS!! SOMEONE! HEEEEELP!!!! AAAAAAARRGHHH!!!

Trace heard Vunrek breath hard and then open the door to her cell.

 

Vunrek: For crying out loud, what in Oblivion have you done to yourself Imperial?

Trace: AAAAAAAAAAH!!!!

 

Vunrek: Gods, shut this bitch up!!

 

Vunrek took a step closer and gave Trace a look over.

 

Vunrek: Listen, I’m not paid enough for this shit! So quit your bitching and maybe, just maybe, one of the guards will call you a healer. You hear me?!

 

Vunrek took another step forward.

 

Trace: (Perfect…)

Trace jumped off the ground and fell into a low crouching stance with a dagger in each of her hands. The suddenness of it all made Vunrek shy back.

 

Trace: Sorry swine, but it’s you who’s going to need that healer!

Vunrek: By Talos, what on earth—

Before Vunrek could reach for his battleax, Trace leapt at him and stabbed him in the stomach with both daggers leaving Vunrek more stunned than wounded.

Vunrek: You… you bitch! You stabbed me!!

Trace: You deserved more than that you bastard! Heck I think I might deliver just that.

Trace then heaved Vunrek over her shoulder…

Then she slammed him hard onto the stone floor, causing Vunrek to lose most of the air from his lungs.

Vunrek: You’ll… pay for this… GUAR—!!

Trace stabbed Vunrek in the chest repeatedly until no more sounds came from him.

An eerie chill came over the prison as Trace fell backwards and began breathing rapidly. As always, she inspected her handiwork and was less than impressed.

Trace: This bastard deserved more than this… Much more…

 

She laughed as she imagined the things she would have done to him if she had more time. So many torture techniques, so many ways to slowly make his death drag out, but her kill satisfaction would have to wait.

Or so she thought. After retrieving his gear, Trace went to town on Vunrek’s corpse with various slashes and stabs. She made sure to make a mess of things without getting herself stained in his blood, and when she was finished she stood over his body with a smile on her face.

Trace: Vunrek, poor Vunrek. If only I’d done this before you died. You’d be laughed out of Sovngarde, if you even made it in.

After making sure she got everything she needed, Trace ran out of her cell and began her escape.

As she came up to the hallway leading to the entrance, an idea came to Trace.

 

Trace: (What if someone else is on duty!?!)

 

Immediately she hid behind the bookcase and peeked around the corner.

As she strained to look, she didn’t see the shapes of anything resembling a person nor did she hear any voices that didn’t belong to her fellow prisoners.

Trace let out a deep sigh.

 

Trace: This is unbelievable… I’m really about to escape from here…

Trace decided not to waste any more time and ran through the jail and up the stairs…

…Stopping only at the door to the cell because she heard guards talking on the other side of it. Trace pressed her ear against the door and tried to listen in to what they were talking about.

 

Guard 1: Did you hear that? Think someone got past Vunrek?

 

Guard 2: I wish a prisoner would try to make a break for it! but in all honesty, if someone took out Vunrek, I’d say it’s more of a gain than a loss.

 

Guard 1: I’ll say…

 

Guard 2: Anyway, get back to work! Don’t let me see you slacking!

 

Trace took a few deep breaths and waited as the guards’ footsteps got farther and farther away.

 

Trace: This is it…

Trace resolved herself and exited the jail and was almost blinded by the light. It took her a few moments to adjust her eyes but when she did Trace began to walk away from the Keep taking slow but purposeful strides.

Guard: Hey you there, stop right there!
Trace froze in place and held her breath.

 

Guard: Ha, you think you can just walk right by me and I wouldn’t recognize?

Trace: (Ohshitohshitohshitohshitohshit!!!!!)

 

The guard laughed and smiled and Trace.

 

Guard: Passing a senior guard by without saluting? Rookie mistake, I know, it’s something you’re going to have to get used to newbie.

Trace almost completely lost it and then sighed and weakly saluted the guard.

 

Guard: Now that’s better. Now go and continue your rounds. And remember, no lollygagging!

Trace walked away from the Keep feeling like she’d shaved decades off her life, but once she descended the Keep’s stairs and came upon the bridge leading to the market all of her worries simply vanished.

Trace: The sky! I can’t believe it… it’s so beautiful… And the people, and the sounds, and—

 

Trace had to calm herself because she suddenly felt like a tourist in a city where tourists get eaten up and dumped in the sewers with nothing left to their name.

After gathering her wits, Trace decided that Mercer was more of the immediate threat than Cicero. Judging by their personalities, now that everything was out in the air, Mercer would try to get out of Skyrim as soon as possible with enough gold to set him up for life. Whereas Cicero would probably hold up somewhere so he could take out members of the Dark Brotherhood one by one.

 

And so Trace used the secret entrance and dropped down into the Cistern. As soon as the smell of the Cistern hit her nose, Trace knew she was home.

 

Trace: I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m glad to be back in the Ratway…

Vipir: Haha!! Look who it is Thrynn! It’s my old protégé, Trac—

 

Thrynn: You’ve a lot of nerve coming back here Trace! Especially after what your recklessness put Vex through.

Trace: I… heard about that… But she’s got to know that it’s not her fault! I don’t blame her for—

Thrynn: It doesn’t matter if you blame her or not! You’re lucky this crap with Mercer came along, because if Vex had gotten pinched because of all this—

 

Vipir: Thrynn’s right. You’ve got to set things right with her, she’ll be glad to see you as well. Anyway, it doesn’t matter what you think Trace, it’s all about what Vex believes.

Trace’s eyes lit up at Vipir’s words.

 

Trace: Wait! V-Vex is here!?

Thrynn sucked his teeth.

 

Thrynn: She is. And if you make her mood any worse, I’ll gut you!

 

After seeing Trace blanch, Thrynn turned to Vipir.

 

Thrynn: Let’s go Vipir. Suddenly something’s beginning to stink.

 

Vipir motioned his apologies for Thrynn’s behavior and followed behind.

Trace began to head toward the Flagon when suddenly she stopped.

 

Trace: Is that…Vex?

She wasn’t in her usual garb so it took Trace a moment to figure out that it was indeed her. But sure enough, waiting for someone to come from the Flagon was the platinum haired Imperial.

Trace: Vex… there’s so many things I want to say to you… but you seem so…

 

Trace didn’t know how to put it. Vex simply seem… different. Even from here she was Trace could sense the Imperial’s gloomy negative vibes, and it saddened her to no end.

As Trace walked over to her, she heard Vex talking to herself.

 

Vex: Thanks a lot Bryjolf. ‘You stay behind, little Vex. Wait for Trace to arrive.’ She’s not coming! She can’t come… not after what I made her do…

Vex: Gods I was so dumb, so foolish… I let my feelings overcome reason like some stupid little lovesick girl.

 

Trace: Tell me about it…

 

Vex: I know, Trace. I’m sorry for putting you in that position, for causing you to act so irrational. It’s my fault you—!!

Vex: W-w-w-w-w-WHAT!?! Trace?! What are you doing her? When did you get back??

Trace laughed.

 

Trace: (She may be acting all gloomy and depressing, but she’s still got that excitable side to her.) I just got here to be honest, and I’m glad you stayed back for me.

Vex suddenly embraced Trace, and Trace couldn’t help but feel somewhat awkward at her sudden display of affection.

 

Vex: I’m so sorry Trace! It’s all my fault! You shouldn’t have gotten arrested! I shouldn’t have gotten you caught up with my mess! I—

Trace pressed herself against Vex and tried to make her voice sound as soothing as she could.

 

Trace: Stop it Vex, just stop it. I’m so sorry… for everything.

 

Vex: W-what? But you didn’t do anything wrong! It was all my f—

 

Trace shook her head and whispered into Vex’s ear.

 

Trace: You’re wrong… you’re so, so wrong. I can’t let you keep burdening yourself with this…

It was Trace who pulled away this time. She locked hands with Vex and looked into her eyes.

 

Trace: Stop blaming yourself for my bad decisions. I stole the horse. I punched that bastard. All you did was be you Vex. If I blamed you for being you, how could I ever say I loved you?

Vex kissed Trace and immediately pulled away, leaving Trace both stunned and longing for more.

 

Vex: Why did I ever leave you?

 

Trace: Because my love is pure and knows no limits?

 

Vex laughed and then sighed.

 

Vex: You must have talked to Mjoll… Heh, you’re so right.

Trace stepped back and looked Vex up and down. She knew Vex was a delight to look at, but in this new attire she was literally making Trace’s mouth water and she had to wipe the drool that had run down her chin.

 

Trace: I almost forgot how gorgeous you were Vex…

 

Vex: Heh, you’re such an old man Trace…

Trace: I’m serious! You look awesome! What’s with that armor though? Is it a new thing with the senior members? Does Bryn have one? Does Delvin? Oh my gosh! I’d kill to see Delvin in a skimpy little number like—

 

Vex: No… This… I’m… Trace, from now on I think it’d be best if you tried to have a normal relationship with me like you have with other Guild members.

 

Trace: Why’s that? It’s never bothered you before!

 

Vex: Things… things have changed alright!

Trace stomped her foot in protest.

 

Trace: No, it’s not alright! You haven’t changed! Heck, if you have you’re a bit nicer than before! Why would that change how—

 

Vex: Brynjolf, Karliah, and I are Nightingales.

 

Trace: Nightingales? Aren’t those just a myth the Guild tells rookies so they’ll behave?

 

Vex shook her head.

 

Vex: Nightingales, Nightingale Hall, Nocturnal, they are all very real. I wouldn’t be wearing this stupid armor otherwise. There’s… another thing. I’m… when this matter with Mercer is over, I’m going to be named the Guild Leader.

Trace: Whoa… no way…

 

Vex: Yeah, so you see what this means right?

 

Trace nodded her head knowingly.

Trace: I’m going to be dating the most powerful thief in all of Skyrim, and one day possibly Tamriel!

Vex: Yes that’s—NO! Trace! Be serious!! I’m going to be Guild Leader. I can’t be dating someone associated with the Guild!

 

Trace: Why not? Fucking Brynjolf and Tonilia were an item for a time!

 

Vex: Brynjolf wasn’t the damn leader of the Guild! I’m serious about this Trace!

Trace: So am I. Just because I can’t currently decide who I’d like to be with, doesn’t mean that my feelings for my first love aren’t still burning brightly.

 

Vex: …You’re not charming for shit.

 

Trace: Heehee, I never claimed to be.

 

Vex turned away from Trace.

 

Vex: Just shut up and get ready, the gear you left here is over in that chest over there.

Trace disrobed and turned back to Vex.

 

Trace: No need to act like you haven’t seen more of me, Vex. I mean we used to sleep together under the stars… in the nude.

 

Vex: As tempting as that may be, as the future Guild Leader I’m going to have to decline.

 

Trace: Your loss.

Trace bent over to look into the chest containing her gear, and looked back at Vex with an alluring look in her eyes.

 

Trace: But don’t you go regretting anything, because I will not beg you to ravage me.

 

Vex: Heh, you’re not charming, tactful, or that enticing

 

Trace: Suit yourself!

Trace: Oh wow! I’ve got this? Heh, I might try this out later for myself… Oh! I’ve never gotten a chance to use this! Hehehee, yeah now this might really get a certain someone going. But naw, I don’t want the grumpy Guild Leader’s affections anyway. But this…

 

Vex: (What is this girl doing now…)

 

Vex opened her left eye and began to peek in Trace’s direction.

But was too late. Trace spread her arms out and smiled at Vex.

 

Trace: Tah dah! How do I look? It screams me right?

Vex: …

 

Trace: Speechless right? Heh, I knew it!

 

Vex: …It’s fits your form… and your arms are out…

 

Trace: And?

Vex: And…

 

Vex shook any lewd thoughts from her head and facepalmed.

 

Vex: And it’s too fucking showy. You’re lucky we’re going into a ruin, otherwise I’d tell you to strip and put on your old gear immediately. Gods, woman. Why don’t you ever think when it comes to these things.

Trace: When I’m with you, that’s all I’m thinking about. Anyway, let’s get going! I can’t wait to see Bryn again, and the there’s Karliah… If she’s as beautiful as the stories I’ve heard—

 

Vex: I’ll throw you off a mountain if you dare try to flirt with her.

 

Trace smiled.

 

Trace: (Atta girl…) Anyway, we can chat and catch up along the way. Maybe stop by Kynesgrove and grab a bit?

Vex: Haaaa… We’re not going on a date, Trace. Gods! You were only in jail, not locked up in some Daedric Circle.

 

Trace: What did you tell me when we first started going out? ‘Every day you don’t see me is going to feel like being in Oblivion’ or something?

 

Vex laughed rather loudly causing those in the Cistern to turn towards the two Imperials.

 

Vex: HA! You got me there!

Trace smiled brightly and closed her eyes.

 

Trace: (Maybe something positive will come out of all of this… Maybe everything’s not as bad as it seems…)

 

Trace and Vex embraced once more before heading out to where Brynjolf and Karliah—to where their final confrontation with Mercer awaited them.