"She's dead." Thindril said while changing her bandages. "All of them are dead. There is no need for you to worry."

"How many vampires were there?" Vicente asked.

"Five? Six? I can't remember very well." The elf replied.

Vicente sighed in relief. "Thank you so much, Thindril. You lifted a burden from my shoulders. I will not forget it." He paused before walking to her. "Let me take a close look to that."

"You knew I was bitten before I told you, right?" She asked. "I could see by the look you were giving me."

Vicente hesitated answering at first before nodding. "Yes, I could… smell it. It was Sabrina who did it."

"By Sithis… You even know who bit me. Aren't you dangerous?" Thindril smiled. "She said… things…"

"What things?" Vicente quirked his eyebrow.

"Not much, she was being very vague." Thindril explained. "She basically said that I couldn't trust you." The elf paused while carefully tying the bandages around her arm. "I did not believe her, as you can imagine."

"Oh, but she had reasons to tell you that." Vicente sighed.

"Vicente, you don't need to tell me anything." Thindril told him. "I think that I understand you above all people, right? My husbands didn't have a happy end as well." She smiled.

"I suppose." Vicente gave a small chuckle. "Now get that arm healed, yes?"

"Surely." She nodded. "Vicente… what happened to Ocheeva…"

"Don't think about it, sister." The vampire interrupted. "The Black Hand is dealing with it, there isn't much we can do now."

"But why didn't you tell me about the traitor before?"

"Because that's not a very good thing to say to someone whom has just arrived in our family." Vicente explained. "I am sorry for not telling you, you did deserve to know, but orders are orders… it would also be a matter of time before you discovered."

"Hmm, yes, I guess." Thindril shrugged. "But isn't there anything I can do to help you?"

"No, Thindril. All you can do now is rest. The vampire poison is very strong." Vicente said. "And you will have a very big contract ready for you when you're recovered." He confessed.

"Oh! What kind of contract?" Thindril asked curiously.

"Rest!" Vicente ordered. "You will know soon, Thindril." He smiled before leaving her in the sleeping quarters. Thindril laid down on her bed and sighed. She hated to wait and she hated when people didn't tell her what she wanted to know. If Vicente thought that to peak her curiosity would allow her to rest more peacefully, he was very wrong.

The Dunmer returned to the book she was reading, The Brothers of Darkness. She found herself to be quite ignorant about the Dark Brotherhood's story and felt the need to change that. Also, the fact that most of the events took place in Morrowind made Thindril feel even more attached to her family. She devoured the book, reading it until she felt exhausted. Only then Thindril put it down on the nightstand next to her and close her eyes.

The elf was almost falling asleep when she heard noises in the corridor. Thindril quickly recognized Telaendril and Antoinette's voices as they walked to their beds, the Dunmer remained in the same position and pretended to be in a deep sleep.

"She was not there, sister." Telaendril said. "I cannot help but to think that she is hurt and hiding somewhere." The Bosmer sighed.

"I think that Lucien will be displeased with the fact that we haven't found any evidence. The only thing we know is that the contract was fulfilled." Antoinette said. "There wasn't even Argonian blood in the sight. I really think she was attacked by this… traitor."

"By Sithis… this is getting out of control." Telaendril whispered more to herself. "The next target could be anyone."

"I hope it's the stinky Dunmer here." Antoinette whispered with a note of hatred. Thindril clenched her teeth and to control herself to not jump on Antoinette and do something that she would later regret.

"Antoinette Marie!" The Bosmer warned. "She is your sister! And she hasn't done anything to you!"

"She was rude to me!" Antoinette protested. "And… and…" The Breton stammered.

"Yes, and?" The Bosmer asked with an impatient tone in her voice that Thindril had never heard before.

"And Lucien has been acting weird since she arrived." Antoinette confessed, Thindril noted a hint of insecurity in her voice, making her want to smirk.

"We all warned you about Lucien, sister." Telaendril said. "With all due respect to our leader, he uses women to satisfy his most basic needs and then throws them away in the next day. It would be a matter of time…"

"I'd rather be dead! Dead!" Antoinette spat. "I'd rather be dead than see Lucien with his Ashborn!"

"Antoinette!" Telaendril gasped in surprise. "Shut your mouth immediately! This Ashborn, as you call, already is in the same rank as you and I am your superior. I demand you to stop saying such foul things!"

"If it was with Grogon, what would you do?" Antoinette argued.

"Don't even try to do that…"

"You wouldn't like it, right?" Antoinette sighed. "You do not understand, sister, that all I ever wanted was to be special for someone…"

"You are special to us, Antoinette, you are our little sister…" Telaendril explained.

"No, not in that way," The Breton interrupted. "I want to be special for Lucien. He saved me, I own him everything and I know I can make him much happier than any newcomer."

"Right, Antoinette. I think you should calm yourself down." The Bosmer sighed. "I am going to get some sleep, and you should rest too for you are too tired. Good night."

It took a while for Antoinette to actually slid inside her sheets, once that happened, the sleeping quarters were suddenly quiet. Antoinette managed to irritate Thindril in a way that no one had ever done to her before, but after hearing how she truly felt, Thindril felt a mix of hatred, anger and sorrow. She did want to end her miserable life, not only out of hatred but also because everyone knew that Antoinette wasn't that useful to anyone, not even to herself. Thindril wondered what Sithis had seen in her and if he truly whispered to her when she killed someone.

Wasn't the Listener the only one who was supposed to hear voices? Thindril felt outraged.

And slightly jealous as well, even though she would never admit it.

Seriously, why would Sithis speak to that… thing.

-T-

"I am now completely sure that Teinnava is not the traitor. He would never hurt his sister."

"Yes, but what if Ocheeva is and made this up? What is this is a part of a bigger plan? And what if, brother, Teinaava and Ocheeva are both together in this?"

"I do not think that is what is happening, Mathieu."

"Why?"

"What reasons would they have to betray us?"

"I could ask you the same reason about you, me and all the others, Lucien. I think that reason is well hidden and that is why we must suspect from everyone. Even the newcomer."

"Mathieu, please use your reason. She only knew about this yesterday."

"Yes, but you do not know if that is what she wanted you to think, Lucien."

"I think you are being a senseless paranoid, that is what I think".

-T-

To Thindril's surprise, Vicente was gone in the next morning. He had left her a note in his room with her name written on the envelope. Fortunately, she found the letter untouched. Thindril was starting to grow suspicious of the people around her, not only because Antoinette but also because this entire traitor talk.

And Ocheeva was still missing.

She unfolded the paper and started to read. There was a contract to be done in the Imperial City that involved her sneaking into the sewers in order to get into a secret passage that leaded to the Imperial Prison. The target was a Dunmer named Valen Dreth, who was stuck in his cell. Thindril should not be spotted by any guards and she should not kill them either, or else the bonus would be forfeit. It was a challenge, but the elf wasn't very nervous about it for now but Thindril knew that everything would change once she found herself in the sewers. She had always been good at sneaking around, yes, but this sounded a complete and utter madness.

It had to be done, though. Vicente had high hopes for her.

Perhaps too high.

She left his quarters, holding his letter in her hand and found Grogon and Teinaava in the common room.

"Greetings, brothers. Mind if I join you?" Thindril asked.

"Surely not, take a seat, dear sister." Grogon answered warmly.

Thindril sat with them, she took a brief look at their expressions. Grogon looked quite serious, which was unusual. He was also awfully quiet. Thindril had not heard his roaring laugh echoing the Sanctuary for two days now and Teinaava's eyes looked lifeless.

"Teinaava and I were discussing that Telaendril and Antoinette haven't found no signs of Ocheeva." Grogon muttered.

"This… traitor… how long has he been around?" Thindril asked.

"There had been reports of strange deaths for a year and half now. Some were killed after performing a contract, others inside the Sanctuary. After a while, we knew how to distinguish the common bandit strike from the traitor's…" Teinaava sighed. "He rarely killed anyone on their way to fulfill a contract, which is… strange. It's like he wants to us to keep going and to take us down at the same time." The Argonian said more to himself. Thindril frowned. "Is that a letter?" He turned to her.

"A contract, actually." Thindril replied.

"Who is your new prey?" Grogon asked while filling his cup with mead.

"Valen Dreth, Imperial Prison."

Grogon and Teinaava exchanged looks and the silence grew heavy. "Imperial Prison, eh?" The Orc sneered. "Infiltrating such place is no small matter. Those guards are heavily armed and professionally trained. If discovered, don't be a fool. Flee!"

"Also…" Teinaava added. "Watch for the creatures that lurk in sewers." He warned.

"What creatures?" Thindril wrinkled her nose.

"Rats, goblins, mudcrabs… They are not very dangerous, but can ruin your day if you are not careful." He explained.

"Right…" She sighed. "Thank you for your advice."

"And don't die on us, not now." Grogon said.

"I'll try." Thindril gave a faint smile. "What about your contracts?"

"Haven't had anything for a week now." Grogon shrugged.

"I had to kill a Dunmer three days ago, sister. He kind of looked like you." Teinaava remarked.

"Did he?" She shrugged. "I think we Dunmers usually look alike for the other races, we spent so much time with our own after all."

"True, but this one had red hair." He noted.

"Oh, I find Dunmer redheads more exotic." Thindril replied. "And I am not saying this because I am a Dunmer or a redhead. I think the contrast gives us a dramatic look." She noted in a desperate way to lighten his mood.

"Aren't you a proud little elf?" The Argonian smiled slightly.

"It comes with the race." She chuckled. "Now, if you forgive me, Valen Dreth needs to be dead soon." Thindril said while getting up.

"May Sithis be with you, sister." Grogon said.

"Yes, good luck to you." Teinaava nodded. Thindril took her leave by heading out to the city. It was a matter of minutes before she found herself walking on the road. Thindril tied her long red hair up before putting her hood on, she welcome the sight of a clear sky and good weather. Thindril hated traveling with rain, it slowed her down and brought her memories of a certain trip to the inn of Ill Omen…

The trip itself wasn't bad, but…

But…

The road to the Imperial city was short and fast, it took her half a day and fortunately there were no accidents. The north sewers could be seen from the shore where she was standing, the elf would have to swim which could be slightly dangerous thanks to the Slaughterfish, but it would be better and quicker than look for a bridge.

She swam in Rumare's waters, gladly, they weren't so filthy in this side of the lake and the leather would make Thindril's body dry at a normal rate. She soon found herself near the sewers, the stench that came from them was horrid making Thindril use her hood to cover her nose. She lockpicked her way in and followed the map that came with the instructions that was supposed to guide her in her way to the prison. The elf kept an eye for mudcrabs, rats and goblins like Teinaava warned, but those creatures couldn't really sneak on her for their smell was too strong.

Thindril soon found herself outside of the sewers and inside in some kind of ayleid-slash-imperial ruin. She heard someone talk and froze, ready to turn back if anyone tried to venture in the little and dark corridor where the elf was.

"Of course I am proud to do my duty…" A male voice said. "But… it's a waste of time. What are we guarding? Cold stone and shadow, that's it." He muttered. Thindril thought that he had a point, their presence there only complicated her job.

"I'm not disagreeing with you. Believe me." Another voice replied. "Those assassins got what they wanted. The Emperor is dead. They've got to reason to come back."

"That's exactly what I'm saying! But the captain will listen, noooo! 'We must have a presence! The prison must remain secure!'" He quoted with a tone of mockery in his voice.

She moved a little closer, the sound of her breath seemed like an orchestra to her ears soon to be heard by the guards.

"Yeah, what a laugh, huh?" The other chuckled. "Just who are we keeping secure? Dreth?" He snorted. "Since the other got away, he's the only one rotting down here."

Thindril had heard rumors of a woman who had fled the prison in the same day the emperor was murdered and later closed the gate of Kvatch, everyone in Cyrodiil had heard about her, but the elf didn't know much more. Not even her name or where she was from, maybe she was spending too much time locked in the Sanctuary.

"Yeah, well, I guess you can't blame Captain Montrose too much. This is his big career move, after all. Got to impress that lost upstairs…" One commented.

"Yeah, true enough. Ah, well, I best be getting back to my watch. Hey don't forget, we're meeting for drinks latter at the Bloated Float."

Finally, the elf thought.

"Oh, I will be there!" The other voice laughed. "How could I miss a chance to see you cover before that big Orc bouncer?"

By Sithis, shut up already.

"Pfft, I ain't afraid of no one. Courage is my middle name… oh, nevermind!"

And there was finally silence, Thindril saw one of the guards heading towards the door in front of her. The shadows kept her from being seen, so she risked peeking to the room where the two men were talking.

It was clear.

She walked through the door in front of her, following one of the guards, but always remaining in the shadows. Thindril ignored her heart's loud beat and just remembered Vicente's words during her first training. Let darkness absorb you and you will become darkness itself.

The elf soon stopped following the guard and walked through another door, as it said in the map. Thindril kept sneaking in the shadows, only to be startled by a light in the corridors which was actually a torch. She cursed in her mind, getting out of the light's way and staying in the darkest corner of the ruins. The guard soon walked by, he didn't seem to notice that she was there. Good.

Thindril got out of there, walking only with the tip of her feet. She saw stairs and climbed them up, then a door, then more stairs. Thindril was close. She knew it.

A dark hole, darker than the dungeons, leaded to a cold and wet cell. It had chains nailed to the ceiling and no bed. She cringed. Another voice was heard, a man and a mer were talking, she recognized Valen's right away for she had too the same accent from Morrowind. Thindril smirked and waited for the Guard to walk away.

Thindril came out of her hole. She made her way to Valen's cell, it didn't take him long for him to notice her.

"I must surely be dead, and in the halls of Azura to look upon such a vision. You are so beautiful, my dear Dunmer maiden..." He whispered.

"What the hell…" She chuckled, not believing that her prey was actually saying those things to her.

"Do you want to stay in my cell? One of the guards owes me a favor, you know…" Valen said as he came closer.

"I want you… to come to me. Come to me and I release you." She lied convincingly in a slow tone.

"Yes, yes, my lady, whatever you wa… Argh!"

She pierced his lungs with her dagger, smiling at him. "Go now to the Void, idiot." She drawled and let the Dunmer bleed to death.