Chapter 2: Eye and Ears

By A.R. Lore

It has been at least three weeks since Vadalyn's sentence. The rags she wore were tearing due to them being constantly wet and dirty. She had started a routine within her cell.

Whenever the guards came in to give food to the prisoners, she would wait for a good thirty minutes per meal to drink some of her water and drench her sleeve to press against the mortar of the wall. She tried to make it seem like she was leaning against it and waited for no one to look, especially Tiega. After she felt her sleeve dry up a bit, she started rubbing the wall for good measure. Then she would splash the water on the ground for it to soak up as well and have her fingers rub against it. When it was night time, she would use the water the nicer guards would give her to work on her escape. It became tedious, but it was better than to sit and wait. By the end of the week, it became doable for her to escape. She created several holes in the wall to make it seem like a natural occurrence. They were small enough to miss, but somewhat weak enough for her to kick down. All that could be done now was to wait and see if her parents could help her or not. This was only Plan B and C, after all.

Unfortunately, with only a week left, she had no choice but to use her plan, because her husband came to visit her.

Ericson Blackmore was a handsome, rugged man with a long black beard, sucked in cheeks, and beady blue eyes. He was much older than her by twenty years but was young at heart. When they first met, she did develop a small crush on him, because he had taught her things like swordplay in secret. And, what made it worse, was that he was a legitimately good man with a corrupted family whispering orders in his ears. He even got himself a mistress just to please his parents.

His eyes were full of sympathy at the sight of her sitting on her cot, which was an upgrade to the straw everyone else had. He leaned against the bars and said, "I'm sorry it had come to this, Vaddy."

Vaddy was a nickname everyone in her family used. When Ericson visited her country during their courtship, she was referred to that several times in front of him, and he started calling her all the same. It was embarrassing at first, but she grew to like it. Now, it left a bad taste in her mouth.

"Are you now?" she asked, bitterly. "I doubt it's tradition to frame your wife of adultery and thievery just because your family made a bad business deal."

The man frowned, he ran his fingers through his long hair, which was tied in a braid. He retorted, "You should have known that there were going to be consequences."

"We were willing to divorce. That way, there isn't as much dishonor to both sides," she countered. "But, of course, that's impossible now."

"No, it's not," Ericson said, "My parents and myself are going to meet with yours. We are planning to make a deal to drop all charges if it means we have full rights to your inheritance."

Vadalyn glared at him, "Oh, really? I don't think you should say any more than that."

"And why not?" Ericson asked, taken aback.

"Do you think we are alone?" she asked with a small smile. "Be careful with what you say."

He squinted his eyes, then said to the guard beside him, "Let her talk to me in a private room. I'll make sure she doesn't do anything."

"Yes, sir," said the guard.

Ericson moved aside to allow the guard to unlock the doors. Vadalyn expected him to force her hands against her back, but they motioned for her to step out. Weary, she did step out to find that Ericson grabbed her hands and bound them with his own. They were warm and soft compared to her raw, scaly ones.

Vadalyn was led down to a room the guards would rest in. Her inmates watched in anticipation, until they were out of sight. There were bunk beds, chests, and items that belonged to the guards scattered around. All of them, except she and her husband, left the room. She refused to speak first, so Ericson did instead.

"Vaddy, I really didn't want any of this to happen. I was legitimately happy with you and our arrangement," he said, then sat in a chair, he motioned for her to sit, but once again refused. He continued regardless, "Your parents arrived here yesterday. Your mother and father refused to speak to any of us, until they saw you, which is why I'm here on their behalf. They hope you are unharmed."

"I never left my cell," Vadalyn replied, relieved to hear her parents arrived safely. At this time of year, hurricanes weren't uncommon. "And nobody was allowed to interact with me."

"Good," he said, then paused and looked at the door, "Whoever you are, come in."

Vadalyn was startled to hear the door open behind her. She kept her back to the visitor, until she spoke in a drawled out, vindictive voice, "I hope I'm not interrupting."

Ericson stood up and stiffened his spine at once. Vadalyn didn't bother to hide her gritting her teeth and glaring at the woman when she came to view.

Maven Black-Briar. The woman's dark brown hair was tied back in braids and wrapped around her head like a crown. When Vadalyn first saw her, she thought she was beautiful with her sharp cheekbones, slanted dark eyes, and pale skin. That was, until she opened her mouth.

"Hello Vadalyn, despite your time here, you remain to be beautiful," she said with a small smile as she looked at Ericson, "You picked a bonny wife. It's unfortunate everything led to this."

"I suggest you stop with the pleasantries, it doesn't look good on you," Vadalyn said against her better judgement.

The woman appeared stunned but did drop the act. She touched her cheeks and said, "Good, my face was hurting. And I will cut to the chase. There has been a decision."

Vadalyn scrunched her face. Based on her tone, it sounded like it wasn't in the young girl's favor. Oh, how right she was.

"You will remain married to Ericson. His family had decided to drop all charges due to some unfortunate event," Maven said, sounding disappointed, "However, you will be stripped of all titles related to Skyrim and Ericson will be married to his second wife with actual connections that are to his family's favor."

Vadalyn must've looked confused, because Ericson stepped in, "That's illegal in Skyrim to hold that many wives."

"Of course," Maven said, "That is until the official announcement of Vadalyn being dead due to a jail riot."

Vadalyn's face paled. Dead?

"Your parents are furious, Vadalyn," Maven said with a smile, "Don't fret, though, they will be at ease once they claim your body and knowing you can be buried at home honorably. And, Ericson, they should leave your family alone and not ask too many questions."

"What are you talking about?" Ericson asked, meeting Vadalyn's own paleness. "Are you going to kill her?"

"Eventually, when she least expects it," Maven replied, smiling vilely, "You are of no use to us, Vaddy. Your parents had refused to give us anything the moment they stepped in. It took a bit of convincing to tell them the awful truth of their pride and joys demise. I had to prevent myself from smiling after knowing we had gotten our revenge. We didn't get the money, they were too stubborn to do that, but at least I get to see their mourning faces."

"You bitch," Vadalyn said without thinking.

Maven laughed, "I did always like your spirit, young one. It will be missed."

"Maven, you can't do this," Ericson said throwing the chair over to glare down at Maven. "I haven't given my word, and I will correct everything."

"I know that, dear boy," she said, then placed her finger on his lips, "That's why you will go to a deep, deep sleep."

Ericson, as if he had never lived a day in his life, dropped to the floor. His breathing was steady and calm, telling Vadalyn he wasn't dead.

Maven wiped her finger on the black cloak she was wearing, "My daughter is truly a talent with her poisons. You remember Ingun, do you?"

Vadalyn felt like she couldn't speak. She only stared at Maven with violent intent in her eyes. Her hands weren't bound, so she could attack her right then and there, but she knew they weren't truly alone. Maven's connections to the Thieves Guild were known. If she wanted, she could go straight to Skyrim's own assassin guild, The Dark Brotherhood.

"I suggest you go back to your cell. Your life is over, young one," Maven said with a small smile before she left the room. "Guards, return her to her cell."

"Yes, my lady," they said, then took Vadalyn's arms, binding them this time.

Vadalyn didn't bother to be subtle when she kicked the wall. News traveled quickly throughout the jail. Tiega guessed what Vadalyn's demise was just by looking at her demeanor and began spreading rumors when it was time for them to go outside. The young girl saw no real reason to keep her dignity. Her parents thought she was dead and she couldn't go back to her country without being seen as a ghost.

In Carrowkeel, she was raised with superstition and ghost stories. Everyone had been, and many chose to believe it. Belief was more powerful than logic, and Vadalyn knew she couldn't rely on her people to understand and take her back.

"Dammit all," Vadalyn whimpered, then made one last attempt at the wall. It wasn't giving in. She wasn't able to make it weak enough.

"Food!" someone cried, then the room got rowdy.

Vadalyn quickly placed her back against the wall. She wasn't expecting anything from the guards. She was supposed to be dead and Maven was going to make sure of that.

"Food, young miss," the guard said, then smirked at her before he moved on to the others.

Vadalyn watched him leave with disbelief in her eyes. It took her a moment, then asked herself the question, why would they be feeding me if I was supposed to die? Then she remembered Ingun and her poisons.

She waited for the guards to leave, before she knelled on the ground and lifted her water. She looked down to find that it was too clean and clear to be the water from the jail.

Cautiously, Vadalyn dipped her sleeve into the liquid and waited. Nothing happened. She waited for five minutes to see that her sleeve was intact. Feeling paranoid, she drank a bit of it, to taste nothing out of the ordinary, before continuing her work. She managed to chip parts of the cell with her kicks earlier, so at least there was a bit of progress.

When there wasn't any water left, Vadalyn fell asleep. Exhausted, but restless at what might come for her tomorrow. Not an hour later, her stomach began to curdle. She turned over, hoping it would settle. It didn't and the moment she opened her eyes, she heaved over the side of her cot. Through her blurry vision, she saw blood in her vomit.

How could I be so stupid? She asked herself.

She tried to get up, but her limps felt weak and brittle. Once again, she vomited violently.

"My lady," called Tiega across the room.

She sounded so distant to Vadalyn. Her vision wasn't improving, even seeing red. If she took a bigger gulp, she would have been dead instantly. Wait, what about the cell?

Vadalyn looked over her shoulder to see a miracle. The wall was evaporating, quickly and efficiently. However, it was working too well. When it has spread beyond what was necessary, it reached the sides, ceiling, and then the bars. They crumbled on top of her and began working on the other cells. She heard screams from all sides.

After a moment, Vadalyn fell on her back. She was so close yet so far.

"Vadalyn, Miss Vadalyn," she heard Tiega. "Oh, no, I need to take you to my sister's, immediately."

Vadalyn couldn't comprehend anything else. She was dying and fulfilling Maven's promise. If Ericson calling her Vaddy made her mouth taste bad, knowing that Maven had one might as well have killed her as much as the poison.