As the two Imperials exited the Braidwood Inn, Trace rushed in front of Vex and stretched exaggeratedly while letting out a pleased sigh.

 

Trace: Aaaaaah… What’d I tell you Vexy? Does Kynesgrove have the best Beef Stew or what?

 

Vex: …I’ll admit, it’s better than what’s served in Riften.

Vex: And what’s with these nicknames? Little Vex? Vexy? I’m more mature than you and Brynjolf put together, so I’d like it if you both stopped referring to me as if I were a child.

 

Trace gave her a mischievous smirk.

 

Trace: So says the girl that rushed off to certain doom, then worked herself to the bone—for no reason mid you—when a certain someone was imprisoned.

 

Vex sighed and averted eye contact.

 

Vex: …You’re never going to let me live that down are you?

Trace: Ehehehee, nope!

 

Vex shook her head and sighed once more.

 

Trace: (It’s nice to tease Vex, but now’s the time for serious business.) Anyway, Vex… Can you, possibly, just wait up a moment and let me do something real quick? I won’t take but a moment.

Vex: This isn’t a playdate! How many times do I have to keep telling you this?

 

Trace: I know it isn’t, it’s just… sure the meal wasn’t necessary but this absolutely is! I promise it won’t take more than five minutes, tops!!

Vex: Brynjolf and Karliah, especially Karliah, are going to continue without us if we don’t hurry! You don’t know what kind of power Mercer’s unlocked now that he’s in possession of the Skeleton Key.

 

Trace: Which is exactly why we should stop talking and you should let me handle my business here. I promise nothing bad is going to go down. Trust me.

 

Trace turned and closed her eyes. The darkness that lay beyond her eyelids felt warm, inviting, and now that she could sense the living beings around her it felt more complete than ever. She turned partially towards Vex and without opening her eyes could see the nasty snarl the Imperial was sporting.

 

Trace: Besides, the only time I act irrational seems to be when the love of my life goes off and acts recklessly.

Vex: I-I, you know what… ARGH!!

 

Vex leaned against the wall behind her and let out a defeated breath.

 

Vex: Fine, you win. I’ll trust you. But make sure you’re quick about it! We need to hurry.

Trace: Ehehehee, yes moooooom.

 

Trace flashed Vex a big smile and felt her heart flutter when Vex turned away as her cheek flushed.

Trace: Anyway stay here. I’ll be back!

 

Vex: Yeah, whatever.

 

Trace nodded then jumped down the steps and headed off towards the rear of the inn.

When she got there Trace fell to her knees and let the images in her head play out before her.

 

(Vex: 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: But you’re the one my heart beats for! We could make it work out somehow!!

 

(Vex: Trace! Be serious!! I’m going to be Guild Leader. I can’t be dating someone associated with the Guild!)

 

Trace: Then I can just disassociate myself from the Guild! I don’t know… why is it that every time I try to get close to you it just… doesn’t work…

 

She slammed her fists into the ground and hung her head. She didn’t like this, didn’t want any of this. Both before and after she was imprisoned Vex told her that the two of them could never be, and yet Trace still believed it was possible. Believed that if it was them, they could overcome everything and that Vex could be Trace’s one.

 

Trace: (But Vex doesn’t even want to try…)

 

Trace stood up and wiped her eyes. She had told Vex this wouldn’t take too long and this little outburst cost her dearly. Although her and Vex were likely done as lovers, Trace wasn’t about to lose Vex as a friend or confidant over something stupid. She then put two fingers in her mouth and whistled in an awkwardly flat tone as loud as she could.

Trace whistled for about thirty-five seconds straight before she heard some footsteps creep up behind her.

 

???: So, if it isn’t the thief slash assassin that’s been rotting away in jail for the past couple of months… How’s life been treating you?

Trace: (…Gods I don’t have time for this…) Rinje… how… are you?

 

Rinje: Great! Wonderful in fact! Ever since Geserd threw out his back and Lilly went off to the Imperial City for vacation, yours truly has become the number one courier in throughout all the Holds! Amazing right?

Trace: Yeah… great…

 

Rinje used to be a member of the Dark Brotherhood. She herself didn’t go and kill anyone, but she’d go out and retrieve most of the contracts and give them to Nazir to pass out. She was great at finding anyone no matter where they might be hiding so when the SCA, Skyrim Courier Association, got wind of her abilities Rinje hopped aboard and never looked back. The girl wasn’t a terrible person, but something about her just annoyed Trace to no end.

 

Trace: Anyway, what did I tell you about wearing headgear in my presence?

Rinje: Uh… not to do it?

 

Trace rolled her eyes.

 

Trace: Well?

 

It took Rinje a moment to understand what was going on, but as soon as she did she blushed and removed her hood.

 

Rinje: M-my bad Boss. I forget that you always liked to check the faces of everyone you met, just in case they become a contract one day. So what do you need today, Boss?

Trace’s blind eye began to twitch. She had forgotten that this girl had an amazing memory and was adamant about sticking to her ways. Rinje used to call Trace “Boss” when she was in the Brotherhood and no matter how many times she told her to stop, the stubborn girl would just apologize and continue to call her it.

 

Trace: What’s the word around Skyrim?

 

Rinje: Hmmm, well, both the Thieves Guild and the Dark Brotherhood have both been on the rise in terms of notoriety. In fact, I’ve heard that the Thieves Guild has reclaimed its hold on both Whiterun and Markarth, whereas a member of the Dark Brotherhood murdered the Emperor’s first cousin, Vittoria Vici, at her wedding!! Those Brotherhood people are quite cold… no offense.

 

Trace: Hmmm… That it?

Rinje: Well… there’s been some murders in Windhelm, a revolt in Markarth, nightmares are plaguing Dawnstar, vampires have been on the—

 

Trace: Screw it, here!

 

She reached inside her right bracer and retrieved a piece of parchment and held it out in front of her.

 

Trace: Give this to Bolfrida Brandy-Mug. Tell her, ‘The deed is done’, and take whatever payment she gives you.

 

Rinje took the paper and gave Trace a confused look.

 

Rinje: So… abstract… there wasn’t an agreed upon amount?

Trace: I haven’t contacted her in three months after carrying out the assignment! Just do the damn job and stop asking questions!

 

Rinje sighed and held her arms up.

 

Rinje: Alright, alright. Anything else, Boss?

Trace: I just told you to stop—you know what? Nothing, never mind. Just hurry up and go already.

 

The courier bowed and the tone in her voice went from being bubbly to a more serious one.

 

Rinje: Well then, thank you for using Skyrim’s Inter-Hold Courier Services. We hope to go above and beyond your expectations.

Trace: Just get out of here!

 

Rinje laughed and did a little salute before running off. Trace didn’t know what her workload was looking like so she didn’t know whether or not the little Nord was heading out to Bolfrida immediately or not, but with that speed the woman would get the note in no time at all.

 

Trace: (If nothing else, those couriers sure can run faster than any steed…)

When Rinje was no longer in her field of view, Trace relaxed and then facepalmed.

 

Trace: That was aggravating to no end! She just up and left the Brotherhood and gets to roam free. Whereas, I do a job that no one else could do and I’m being punished? Where’s the justice in that?

Trace: Oh, and you can come out Vex. You hid pretty well, but there’s no sneaking up on a trained assassin.

On cue, Vex walked from behind a large rock with downcast eyes.

 

Vex: How long did you know I was there for?

 

???: You knew she didn’t trust you…

 

Trace: The beginning.

 

Vex: How!? I was even using an invisibility potion and breathing technique that would mask my presence!

 

???: She even tried to be sneaky about it! She denies your feelings, but dares to have her own for you? The hypocrite…

 

Trace: Like I said, you can’t sneak up on a trained assassin. This isn’t some backwards place where that kind of thing happens.

Trace: But really Vex? I ask one thing of you and you can’t even do that?

 

Vex: But I thought… I thought you might have had to take on the Dark Brotherhood—

 

???: She’s lying! She thought you were going to put the Brotherhood over the Guild. That you were going to pick Astrid over her again…

 

Trace put her hands on her hips and let her anger take over.

 

Trace: And so what!!! Until they send assassin on my level, the usual small fry aren’t worth you or anyone else’s concern. I asked one thing of you Vex! One thing! Just trust me!

Vex: I do trust you! But Trace—

 

Trace walked past Vex bumping her shoulder hard.

 

Trace: I can’t do this. After we get Mercer… you and I? We’re done! As I said before, I’ll disassociate myself from the Guild and you can go and be the best little Guild Leader you can be. I don’t need this…

 

Vex: W-wait! Trace! TRACE!!

As the two of them continued to head toward Irkngthand, Trace ran at a breakneck speed and no matter what Vex did to catch up she couldn’t get within twenty paces of her. Considering the pace they were at, it didn’t take them all that long to get to the old ruins. When Vex made it to the outer entrance she slowed and drew her weapon.

 

Vex: I don’t like the looks of this Trace…

Vex’s eyes darted to and fro not seeing any sight of their companions.

 

Vex: Brynjolf and Karliah said they’d meet us here, but neither they nor anyone else is here… We should be careful. This could be an ambus—

???: Who does she think she is? She’s not your superior or you leader. In fact you’re doing HER a favor!

 

Trace: (I’m done with being led around! By Trace, and by Astrid…)

 

Vex: Trace! Wait!!

 

But it was too late. Trace ran ahead and triggered an alarm alerting whoever was here to their presence.

 

???: Good… now it’s time to go wild…

And so the two Imperials had to fight their way through the brigands that had made this ruin their base. Vex tried to use precise and fatal strikes to fell her enemies as quick as possible…

But Trace was making a spectacle of things. She was making sure that the ground would be bathed in the blood of her enemies by the end of this.

 

???: Good… let out your frustrations… kill them ALL!!!

When they dispatched the first wave of enemies Trace gave Vex a threatening glare.

 

Trace: Stay out of my way Vex.

 

But Vex wasn’t about back down. She flicked some of the blood from her blade and scoffed at Trace.

 

Vex: As long as you don’t show me a pitiful sight, sure.

And so as the second wave of bandits came to greet them, the two Imperials they continued to wipe them out…

 

As their numbers got thinner the two of them began to compete of each other’s kills which was more frustrating to Trace to anything.

She even went as far as nudging Vex out of the way so she could land the final blow on one of the brigands.

 

Vex: Having fun?

 

Trace: Shut up!

 

Vex: And I’m the immature one? Whatever, there should only be a few left. Can we at least team up properly to take them out?

 

Trace twisted her blade in and out of the bandit’s skull a few times before finally being satisfied with this kill.

 

Trace: Sure, whatever… Just don’t piss me off.

The two of them proceeded up the stairs and were immediately set upon by a Redguard and an Orc. The brutes were strong, but slow, and it wasn’t long before the two Imperials had them reeling.

It didn’t take long for Trace to get consumed with toying with the Orc. Orc’s weren’t like other races. They had a higher threshold for pain, and it took more blood to let out before they were killed. Perfect for someone who took pleasure in the length, distinction, and quality of all their kills like her.

 

However, just because she was focused on the Orc, that didn’t mean that her senses were dulled. As she was going in for another slash across the Orc’s broad chest, she heard the nock and release of an arrow. Judging from the distance she had heard it from, she knew it was aimed for her and immediately took to the air to avoid it.

Meanwhile, the Redguard seemed to turn his sights on Trace at that very moment only to be fall into Vex’s clutches.

 

Vex: You shouldn’t worry about her…

Vex: When it’s you who’s getting sent off to meet your Maker!

The two thieves then circled around the Orc giving him various cuts here and there and ultimately leaving him off balance.

Finally feeling bored with him, Trace gave the Orc a deep gash across his chest causing him to stumble backwards into Vex.

 

Vex: Say your prayers!

 

...Was the last thing the Orc heard before he met the same fate as his allies.

???: Kill that archer! Kill all who stand before you!!!

 

Trace immediately set off to find that cowardly marksman that tried to snipe her, and when she did she set herself upon him before he had time to draw the dagger from his boot.

Trace: Haa… Haaaa….

 

Trace heard footsteps behind her an with a ferocious shout turned and was about to tear whoever it was into pieces…

But she turned and found Vex who was looking at her like she was a monster.

 

Vex: Are… are you alright? Are… we okay?

???: No! You’re not okay!!! Gut her! Kill that bitch that’s broken your heart not once, but thrice!!!

 

Trace took a deep breath and sheathed her weapon.

 

Trace: Y-yeah, we’re good.

Vex followed suit.

 

Vex: You were pretty wild out there. I didn’t know you were such a… berserker. It was like seeing a Sabre Cat in the form of a woman. Kinda of… scary.

Trace grit her teeth and turned from Vex.

 

Trace: That’s… that’s just what I become! You don’t like it? Fine. Not like you’ll have to deal with it for much longer anyways…

 

Vex: Trace! That’s not what I meant!

Trace: Yeah, whatever! I’m heading up. I’ve got people to save elsewhere and this is just eating up my time now.

 

Trace then stormed up towards the entrance to the ruins withot letting Vex explain herself, all the while Vex’s eyes followed her.

 

Vex: (Jalena… how did we come to this…)

After entering Irkngthand Trace and Vex immediately sighted their comrades and for a moment, Trace’s heart began to thaw once again.

Trace: Bryn! It’s so good to see you!

 

Brynjolf: It’s good to see you too, lass. I take it you made your escape clean?

 

Trace: Clean as an assassin-for-hire can be.

 

Brynjolf: Heh, figures.

 

Karliah: Excuse me, but we don’t have time for this. Mercer could already have gotten the Eyes and be halfway across Cyrodiil with the time we wasted waiting for you both!

Karliah: For starters, we didn’t even need this extra Imperial. She’s not blessed by Nocturnal. She’s not with the Guild. She’s… she’s even recently murdered an innocent. Have her along will only make Lady Luck—

 

Vex: Fuck that! I trust her, Brynjolf trusts her, and you need to get with the program! You said Mercer’s as strong as three Nightingales because of the Skeleton Key? Well is he as strong as three Nightingales and an assassin? Heck, Trace can even sense exactly where invisible people are! That’s more than any of us can do.

 

???: She TRUSTS you? HA!!

Karliah: I don’t care if she could shoot fire out her ass. Mercer knows we’re here. The larger the group, the easier it’ll be for whatever traps he has set up to get us! Plus, Mercer’s basically a demi-god with that key! If numbers were all that we needed, I wouldn’t have asked for you all to become Nightingales. We could have just overwhelmed him with the full force of the Guild! Why can’t you people see this?

It made sense to Trace. As big as this whole kill Mercer thing was, they didn’t need her here. In fact, now that Karliah had laid it out, it seemed like she was going to more of a burden than anything.

 

Trace: Umm… I can just go. I kinda don’t want to be here anyway, and if I’m just going to be a bother—

Vex: No Trace, you’re coming! I may not be the Guild Leader right now or the best of the Nightingales, but I do know this. If Trace is out, I’m out. Fuck Mercer and that key! Besides, if Nocturnal really didn’t think that Trace could possibly be of help, she wouldn’t have allowed Trace to return when she did.

Karliah: Stop acting foolish! The three of us need to—

 

Brynjolf: No Karliah, she’s right. We need all three and I know how adamant Vex can be when she gets like this. We’re going to have to take Trace, whether it’s a smart move or not.

Karliah shook her head with disbelief.

 

Karliah: You know what, fine. This little spat is costing us too much time as it is, and with how much time we’ve already wasted we need to make the most of the rest we’ve got left.

Karliah: But know this, the three of us are protected by Nocturnal. We won’t be taking on Mercer’s unbridled power, but she will. If you all are okay with that, then let’s move! We’ve got no more time to waste.

Karliah and Brynjolf took off into Irkngthand’s depths while Vex stayed behind with Trace.

 

Vex: Are you worried about her words? Don’t be. I’ll protect you if it comes down to it! Trust me.

 

Trace: Y-yeah… right…

 

Trace gripped her midsection as an uneasiness washed over her.

 

???: Trust? HAHAHAhahahaAHaaaa!!! Don’t worry, I’ll be there when she lets you down again…

 

Trace closed her eyes and tried to steel herself for what was to come, but her thoughts lingered elsewhere.

 

Trace: (I’ll make it back to you Mjoll… if it’s the last thing I do…)