I

[The Pain of Separation]

"The snake which cannot cast it's skin has to die. As well the minds which are prevented from changing their opinions; they cease to be mind. "

- Friedrich Nietzsche -

The Waterfront was quiet on this night, and a tinge of cold drizzled down with the breeze. Tonight would be her last night in the Imperial City, and the first time she would felt she would be able to provide for her sister. She had worked in the Thieves Guild for some time now, saving a nice sum of money to buy her sister a house. She intended to leave it in their shack when she left in the morning. The arrangements were already made - she had traveled to several places she deemed suitable and spoken to the stewards of each: namely, Cheydinhal, Chorrol and Skingrad. These were places they had visited in better times which also held some meaning in their hearts. Now, she waited for her sister to return from a job a kindly elderly woman had given her. In exchange for helping maintain her house and garden, she was given baskets of food which had kept them going when Lucina was unwell.

"Lucinaa!"

The girl turned towards the source of the sound. Her long ebony hair, currently twisted into a neat braid, was flying haphazardly behind her. Ysabel, her gentle twin sister. She certainly appeared delicate, but Lucina knew the fierceness that dwelled beneath that exterior. She would be fine without her. But goodness, did she wish that she would not gather so much attention from just walking down the street. It was well known that she was the more approachable of the two: Lucina was weary of most, which often lead to her coming off as cold and unwelcoming. On the other hand, Ysabel was bright and bubbly. But it was not as if either were more or less compassionate than the other.

"How was the job?"

Ysabel smiled. "Same as usual, there's certainly enough for food for the next few nights."

Lucina turned away. Her twin frowned, and grabbed her hand.

"You know I don't mind doing this. You can't blame yourself for getting injured, quite frankly, you should blame those cowards."

At this, her eyes were set ablaze by something else entirely. She still harboured a deep anger. Lucina had come across a group of bandits posing as adventurers outside Fort Nikel on her way back to the Imperial City. They had forged a story that one of their group had been taken by the bandits living in there, and they were preparing to go in. Lucina, being the helpful individual she was, attempted to help them. She had some experience with a bow, and had borrowed a spare from one of the men.

For her intended kindness she received a nice smack on the back of the head and as an added bonus, was relieved of her coin purse and other treasures she was bringing back to her sister for food and other essential materials. The attack had struck a chord with Ysabel, her innocence playing into her inability to not understand why some would do these things.

Damn her luck that there wasn't a guard nearby. Damn it all that she was just trying to feed, clothe and shelter her sister, as the elder twin.

They had been alone together for several months now. When they were barely seventeen their brother Adamus, even older than them, had left Cyrodiil on some notion that he would find his fortune in Skyrim of all places. Lucina was convinced that he was a stupid and selfish man; Ysabel believed that somewhere in his heart he was doing the right thing. Perhaps he would send for them. Yet they heard nothing, and while Ysabel was content to assume that all was well, Lucina could not. Given he had sold their home while their backs were turned, and left them to fend for themselves. They had managed to salvage a few precious items from the house, including an old bow. Lucina had even found a weathered coin that she kept with her to this day, which, much to her sister's amusement, now helped her with decision making.

"Stupid man can't even stand the weather in Bruma, " she grumbled under her breath. Ysabel shot her a look.

"I thought we weren't going to talk about that anymore? We should be grateful for what we have."

"I know. ." She a, most felt guilty now. Wasn't she about to do what her brother did? Against all other inhibitions, she opened her mouth once more.

"Ysabel." The other girl looked up at her, with those innocent eyes. "I'm leaving. In the morning. I-"

"It's okay, I saw it coming."

Lucina jaw dropped. "How..?" The other girl smiled knowingly.

"I know you, sis. You've been out late at night. My suspicions were confirmed when I overheard someone saying that they saw you talking to a suspected member of the thieves guild. I thought it was a coincidence at first, but then I put two and two together."

She kept their arms linked together as they walked.

"Then I thought, if it was true, then why wouldn't you tell me? It occurred to me that you may have been saving money because you wanted to chase down Adamus-"

"Almost correct. I saved that money so you can get out of this awful shack and into an actual house. You deserve it..."

"You're too kind, even when you think you're at your worst. Are you going to track him down?"

"Yes. As much as I try I cannot even begin to try to forgive and forget. I know he's dimwitted fool but no one could have that level of stupidity."

"Hush," Ysabel lightly scolded. They were at the door to their tiny shack now. "Just when you do see him try not to rip his eyeballs out or anything unnecessarily gruesome like that. I at least hope to see him in one piece again."

Lucina giggled. "Fine, I promise not to rip his eyeballs out or anything." She looked over at her twin. "I'm going to have severe case of missing you."

Ysabel stuck out her tongue. "How on earth would you even cope without me, dear sister? What are your plans, anyway?"

"Well..." In truth, Lucina was always one for tactics and details to the last second. But for the first time, she had no clue, save for catching a ride to Bruma, traversing the Pale Pass and hoping that things just went dandy from there. It gave her the slightest feeling of apprehension, but against her will her mind buried it beneath a pile of anger and excitement.

"Let me guess- you are somehow getting to Bruma, crossing the border and then hoping things will flow smoothly from there?"

"Ha, I have to give it to you. Are you a psychic or something?"

"Perhaps you are just easy to read!"

Lucina giggled at this, only her sister was able to see her like this, and she knew it.

"What time are you heading out tomorrow then?" Already Ysabel was packing an assortment of food for her journey.

"Around midday, my acquaintance said he needed a few hours to get the cargo ready."

Ysabel shot her a sideways look. "And you intend to go dressed like that? You'll catch your death! Tomorrow we shall set about getting you some armour, and maybe a weapon. I'm certain you'll need it. We can even use some of that money you saved up, if that's okay of course."

[x x x]

"Ta-da! What do you think?" Ysabel was positively beaming when she pulled Lucina out of her sleepy state. Before her she held a simple set of leather armour, a deep forest brown colour, pulled together by seamless craftsmanship.

"... how...?"

A small giggle erupted from Ysabel. "You looked like you were sleeping well, so I thought I'd head to the marketplace and get you some supplies for your journey. Then I saw this, I know its not much but I thought you'd prefer something lightweight. Oh- and this, this will keep you warm when you're over there. Ah, and I also ran into your acquaintance! He mistook me for you, so I explained to him and he said if I wanted I could tag along for the trip to Bruma. He's staying there for a night then coming back here, so I can ride back with him. Isn't that great?"

Lucina blinked a few times, attempting to wrap her head around the paragraph her twin had just thrown out. Finally realising what she'd said, she beamed and pulled her sister into a tight hug.

"Thank you," she mumbled into her soft hair. Ysabel returned the gesture. "It's certainly going to be lonely without you." They pulled back from each other.

Ysabel smiled softly. "We should head out now. I wonder if there are mudcrabs over there."

[x x x]

As expected, their travelling companion was waiting for them at the stables outside the gates. "You are early," he chuckled. "If its even possible, you two are even more difficult to tell apart when you are next to each other, unless one of you starts speaking of course." For reasons unknown to the sisters, he began to laugh even more. Before either girl could ask, he simply stated "Vontus," before gesturing for them to climb on.

Ysabel was desperate to ask just how Lucina had come across this man, let alone got a ride from him to Bruma. She could sense the discomfort emanating from her. Not wanting to appear rude, she willed to herself to stay quiet until they at least got to Bruma. Fortunately the trip was short and they were only met with a few guards on duty along the road thus far. The road began to show signs of nearing the city, a cold chill filling the air. Lucina pulled her cloak around herself and her sister while offering her a brief smile. The girls had only been to the snowy city once before, when they travelled with their parents and brother who were merchants within Cyrodiil. Adamus had complained so much that on their next trip they decided to leave him at home, under the care of a neighbour for the time they were gone. Ysabel and Lucina wanted desperately to go, but Adamus again kicked up a fuss about being left alone. In the end, none of the children left which summed up to some rather displeased associations between the siblings for the rest of the time.

Ysabel sighed softly to herself at this memory. After that, they saw their parents less and less as they began to travel more. On Adamus's eighteenth birthday, they made him promise that he'd look after their sisters til they were at least eighteen. They were fourteen at the time.

On that somber note, they announced that they were off on another trip, but they did not specify. Ysabel remembered the way her mother stroked their hair, and how their father had read to them by the fire for the first time in years. She also remembered the look on Lucina's face when they left.

"They're not coming back," she stated simply.

Adamus became angry, and pushed Lucina away. "You stupid brat! They wouldn't do that to us!" Lucina stood still, her hazel eyes fixated on the trembling boy. She looked as though she was about to say something, but she shut her mouth and stalked back inside, not wanting to be around him any longer. It was well known that they didn't necessarily get along. When the twins were twelve and and Adamus sixteen, Lucina gradually began to distrust him. She disclosed this to Ysabel, but she could never say why exactly. It played a toll on their relationship, which never mended and was only made worse when Adamus left at the age of twenty-one. As expected, her opinion of him only deepened.

"As so we have arrived, young travellers." It was the first time Vontus had spoken since they left the Imperial City. Lucina jumped off first, leaving her cloak around Ysabel as she made her way to Vontus. Abruptly she thrust a coin purse at him.

"For the ride. And to get my sister home safely."

Vontus grinned. "Of course, young traveller. I will ensure her safe return to the city."

Lucina nodded, then turned back to Ysabel. Granting her a small smile she grabbed their two bags. "Let's go find somewhere to stay for the night." She nodded in return and pulled the cloak tightly around her. She'd forgotten how cold this place was.

"Ysabel; I will find you in two days time for when it is time to return. There is some business I must attend to."

"Thank you."

Again, Vontus just grinned before leading his horses into the stables. Ysabel felt faint: a strange image flashed through her mind. A village burning. Not one she recognised. What was it? Did she read about it somewhere...?

Lucina gripped her arm, sensing her discomfort. Silently the two sisters entered the city gates. "If I remember, there's a nice place we can stay at up there." Lucina waved her hand upwards towards a group of buildings. "I'll take you there, then I just want to head down to the smith's." Ysabel opened her mouth to protest, when she was over come again by a wave of dizziness. Silently she nodded. She was in need of a warm bath now.

[x x x]

Lucina arranged a room for them. It certainly was a comfortable inn to say the least. After settling Ysabel down she left to walk around the city. In truth she didn't need to go to the smith's; Ysabel had already fixed her with weaponry for her trip. Yet she needed to clear her head for a moment. Given Ysabel's sudden discomfort, she sensed that she had seen the same vision she had. It was a scene from a recurring dream that had haunted her from around the time that her parents disappeared. A vision of a village. This was the only detail she had to go on, but she knew there were none like that in Cyrodiil. In the vision, there were houses. And some sort of fort. They were burning, and parts of the fort thing were crumbling. It was faint, but the few details she could decipher were distinct. People screaming; there must have been soldiers as she could occasionally hear orders being thrown out. Then she was seeing through someone else's eyes, as a black mass filled the sky and let out a mighty sound...

"Something troubling you, young traveller?"

Ysabel was shocked. She hadn't heard him enter, and furthermore, what was he doing here? Not quite ready to look up, she kept her eyes fixated on the pattern of the rug.

"Ah no, its just been... a long time since I've been here. It brings back some memories." She tried her best to smile, but the strange image was still burned into her mind. She turned to look at him.

"Are you staying at this-"

Vontus had vanished. Maybe he wasn't even there at all. Ysabel felt a distinct sense of fear. No longer wanting to be alone, she fled the room in search of Lucina. Perhaps she could ask her now about this Vontus man, as she certainly did not feel safe travelling alone with him now. Maybe she could just buy a horse and ride back. Or maybe

"Have you seen that house for sale?" Two women chatting just outside the inn as she exited. "That nice one just down there. Apparently its for sale again, that new family couldn't settle in or something."

"Ah yes," the other woman nodded. "Some nonsense about the house not accepting them or something. Its such a shame, its such a nice house."

Ysabel felt odd. Her feet were moving somewhere. Towards that house? But the couldn't afford it or...

"Lucina..." she breathed. She felt overcome with excitement. That's it! She could buy this house, and be close to the border in Skyrim... Closer to Lucina...

Her feet stopped right in front of the grand two-storey house. It was beautiful, much like the other houses it was partly built underground. "I can be close to Lucina..."

"Its a lovely place, is it not?" Ysabel spun around. There he was, looking smug again.

"You..." she murmured. "Were you in my room before? At the inn."

Vontus chuckled. "No, I do not believe I was." He strode over to her, his bright eyes glowing underneath the shadow of his wide brimmed hat.

"You should buy this place, be close to your sister. She may need you in the near future. Speak to the steward in the castle, he shall arrange it for you. And do not worry: money is not a concern in this matter."

Ysabel was bewildered. Was this man real? A friend or foe? She didn't know whether it was the strange feeling she had about him, or something else entirely but before she could protest she had run to the castle and hastily bought the house.

She sincerely hoped that she wouldn't regret this.

[x x x]

"You wha-?!"

To say the least Lucina was surprised. Ysabel was carefree, but to a certain extent! While she was still apprehensive about her sister's latest purchase, she was also excited. This new opportunity... certainly felt right. As if in the grand scheme of things, a piece of the puzzle fell into place. She certainly wouldn't have to worry now, since now she could see Ysabel settled before she crossed the border. And as an added bonus, she would basically be within arm's reach.

"It also came fully furnished. Apparently the old owners left in such a hurry they left it all there - brand new as well. Though I have to admit, having all of this space to myself is a bit daunting."

"I'll be sure to visit," Lucina smiled at her sister. Things really were falling into place. "You could finally get some pets, now that you have the space. And maybe a garden. Who knows, maybe you'll find the person you're meant to be with." She giggled as Ysabel blushed furiously.

"That's embarrassing!"

Since they had already paid for the room at the inn, they chose to stay there for the time being. In the morning, they would move Ysabel over to the new house before Lucina was due to leave for Skyrim. They were content for the time being. Soon, Ysabel would have to return to the Imperial City to sort out their few belongings and their tiny shack; it was in a sense, a bittersweet moment. Despite the reasons for being there, it had been their home for the time being. Although her sister wouldn't be with her for the time being, she was certain that they'd be reunited very, very soon. Where that notion came from, she was unsure. But it gave her an absolute sense of comfort.

"It was surprisingly clean", Lucina breathed in a gulp of cold air. "Maybe there's a ghost maid or something." Ysabel froze, turning to Lucina with a frightened look painted across her face.

"You don't think this place is haunted, do you?"

Lucina grinned like a madman. "I've heard stories about how people have had trouble selling houses because they're haunted." She watched Ysabel's face develop even more into a frightened state."But that was in Anvil or something. Not this place, I think."

"You think? Maybe I should get a priest in or something..."

"Ysabel, don't panic. It was a joke." Lucina smiled to show it was a genuine statement. She watched as the walking ball of frightenedness collapsed in on itself.

"Don't scare me like that!" She whined, lightly punching her on the arm.

The two girls stood at the edge of the Serpent's Trail. Ysabel had read a lot about this place, and was now apprehensive about letting her sister through. Looking over at her set her mind at ease. Perhaps she wasn't much of a combat oriented individual, but she was a true Acrobat: no matter, she'd likely have snuck her way through to Skyrim before any terror could even notice her presence.

"Well, I guess I'd better go then. Don't want to lose the light too quickly. Are you going to be alright heading back to Bruma on your own?"

"Yeah, its a much shorter trip on a horse."

"Good, I'll write to you when I'm over there, let you know what my plans are... uh, see you later then."

Ysabel embraced her in a tight hug. "I'll miss you," she whispered. "Me too," came the soft response.

For the first time in their lives, they were separated.

The journey through the mountains went faster than she expected. She had no doubt in her abilities to sneak past enemies; she had been trained by a master, after all; but since when did things ever go her way? Where was her inordinate luck?

"Probably best not to jinx myself..."

The air was beginning to feel ever so slightly warmer. Perhaps she only noticed because her face was so cold. In any case, it would be nice to find somewhere to rest soon.

"I wonder what Ysabel is doing..." A pang of guilt and regret coursed through her mind. Although she had told her sister her plans she couldn't help it. Maybe she should've stayed...

"No use turning back now, I guess." During her musings she had reached the end of the pass, now the change in temperature was more noticeable. A warmer breeze grazed her cheeks, maybe it was still around midday or so. In any case she now still had time to find somewhere to stay for the time being. It was a large place; finding Adamus wasn't necessarily going to be a walk in the gardens. Outside once more, she was greeted by a soft smell of pines mingled with snow. A small clearing to her left would make a good place to figure out where to go next- it even came equipped with a stump. Pulling out her map, she took note of the next closest location.

"Helgen, in Falkreath Hold," she breathed. It seemed as good as any other place. Since it was close to her location, perhaps Adamus had passed through there as well.

"Then again, he is an idiot." Though perhaps an idiot would be more memorable in the minds of the citizens of this Helgen place, than an ordinary traveller.

Packing up, she began to set off again. Suddenly she felt uneasy. Was she being followed?

Before she could react, someone grabbed her from behind and covered her mouth. A hot, sharp pain ate into her side, and her vision blurred.

"Ah, there's that blasted luck of mine," the thought flitted through her mind as she felt her body stiffen from the pain.

[x x x]

It had again been a peaceful ride back to the city. She had gathered a few supplies at the local merchant, and even went to pray at the chapel. There was no better time than now to sort out this new house.

"Gah!" Ysabel clutched her side, collapsing onto the concrete and spilling the contents of her basket. A few concerned citizens ran towards her, closely followed by a guard. Her hand on her side was lifted and held by someone, who was checking her for wounds.

"I don't see any blood!" someone shouted.

"Quickly, take her to the temple."

Ysabel felt herself being lifted. Was she paralyzed? She tried to tell them, she had a sister. Someone should go fetch her, surely she couldn't be far!

But they ignored her, taking her further from Lucina. The pain, if possible, grew as they walked.

"Don't worry, I'll come find you. I will find you," she thought to herself. As her vision began to fade, a group of people crowded around her. Amongst them was one with a grin and chuckle.

An all to familiar one that sent shivers down her spine.