It really has been a while hasn't it? Gee, I'd really hate disappointing my fans by posting so slowly, good thing I don't have any fans. On a related note, here's a joke. When it's hot I'm a fan of a fan... I'm sorry

Anyways, this is actually one variant of this chapter. The next chapter will have the same name but a different ending. The other chapter was actually the original one, but I decided to write and use this variant of the chapter instead. The next chapter wouldn't make this storyline go any further, but I suggest reading it nevertheless. In fact, I like that chapter better than this chapter, I really do, I just don't know how to follow it. But if anyone thinks I should try to continue the storyline of the next chapter, I will try my best and maybe write it into a new story.

If you have read my profile you will know that I can only write properly when I am high. Send weed

Lydia POV

I draw my sword and look into the forest. I can't control what I'm thinking about but my mind is running faster than ever. I hear a voice in my head. Or is it just me thinking? I don't know.

Every tree, the voice says, is a person that betrayed you. Without thinking, I slash at a tree. A person that took advantage of you. Another strike. A person that used you. Before I knew it, I was panting, my arm was sore, my sword was ruined and the tree was destroyed. Not bad, you got rid of one of them. But look- I followed the voice into the rest of the forest, looking at the seemingly endless number of trees, there are so many left. I collapse… and I shatter.

I awaken to the soft breathing of the room and gentle rising of the sun. I close my eyes and try to go back to sleep, but then I realise. There was only one set of breathing. I shoot up and see Lydia missing. The second place my eyes scan is Lydia's belonging. I notice that her sword is not there.

I try to think of other things that are different and feel something in my shirt. I reach my hand and pull out the paper I got from the imperial stranger. It looks mostly the same and I almost put it back when I realised one thing, the corner was a little wrinkled.

Fuck

Mayisha POV

I rush out of the tavern despite not knowing what to do or say. I'll probably figure it out on the way, that always works. Maybe we'll talk and everything will be settled, but nothing is ever that easy, is it? Well, I suppose I'm the only one to blame for this mess I got us into.

I jumped up from my bed and checked my body for blueberries. After careful investigation, I realised that it was probably a dream and fire monkeys probably don't exist. A quick look out the windows tells me that it's still almost sunrise. Damn, where did these people go? Brother sometimes wake up early but Lydia usually sleeps until daybreak at least. Mm, maybe there's a clue somewhere.

I hear some battle cries and clashing of steel in the distance.

Well I suppose that's a clue.

I tried to stay positive and think about how this might not be a bad situation. For example, they might just be training, practicing a play, having rough sex- actually I'm not going to go there.

Another swing of her blade, I manage to duck again but I'm not sure how many more I could dodge before getting skewered. She was a better swordswoman than she let off. Or perhaps it was because of the raw anger in her strikes. I duck the next strike but instead of swinging again, she kicks me with the back of her heel.

My line of sights tries to straighten itself as I stand back up. I shouldn't take another hit like-

Donk

And I've ran my head into a tree branch. If this was any other time, I would have laughed. Too bad it's not any other time right now. Perhaps I should have brought a weapon to help defend myself until I sort out the situation, no that would have made it worse.

"Lydia, calm down, it's not what you think," what the fuck is wrong with me? Did Lydia catch me cheating on her? Think, say something else

"DON'T EVEN TRY THAT," she growled more than spoke, "I knew exactly what I saw, I've been looking at it for THIRTEEN YEARS!" Thirteen years, what is she talking about? It looks like I've made a bigger mistake than I can understand. They were just a group of imperial soldiers weren't they? Now that I think about it, the girl in the picture looked younger than the one trying to take off my head

"There's been a misunderstanding! I'm not your enemy, whatever you think this is is wrong!"

"The only thing I was wrong about is trusting you," She grabbed me by the collar and pinned me to a tree. I could get a better look at her face now. There were tears, and pain, so much pain. I feel… guilty, was this my fault? This was a misunderstanding after all but it could have easily been avoided if I was more careful. There's no one else to blame, is there?

The tip of the blade enters my vision. Can I disarm her? It would be difficult to do so. Is this how I'm to die? If I die Lydia will never forgive me.

"Lydia…" I begin

"No," she suddenly said, letting me go, "no, no, no. You're my thane, I have to obey you don't I." she staggered backwards as though drunk, I try to help her up but she smacks away my hand. She held her head and genuinely looked as though in pain. I tried to reach out my hand to her once more but her sword quickly replied.

"Get away from me," she said through her teeth. Her sword-hand started shaking more and more until her sword eventually fell to the ground. "I can't fight you, I swore an oath. I have to obey, I have to- No, no I won't let you take me." In a sudden rush of concentration she drew her steel dagger but she wasn't going to attack me with it, she was trying to save herself from me the other way. I wasn't going to let that happen.

I jumped forward and grabbed the dagger. She wasn't about let go of it and neither was I. Instead of taking it, I pressed it against my throat and my body to hers.

"Let go of it, LET IT GO!"

"I'm on your side Lydia."

"NO ONE IS ON MY SIDE!"

"Let go of the blade, Lydia. We can still talk about this, come back to the inn with me and-"

"I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE WITH YOU, but-but we can talk. Sure, let's talk." Just like that she dropped down the ground and hugged her legs to her chest. She was exhausted, that much was obvious. I sat in front of her. I made an attempt to take her weapon away but she quickly drew it away from me. I raised my hands in forfeit, I had to try at least.

"Explain yourself," she demanded through her teeth

"I take it this is because of the picture," she slowly nodded, "I saw someone the other day, an imperial. He asked me if I saw a face like this one."

"What did you say?"

"I said I'll tell him when I see it." No point lying here. She sighed at what I said.

"I guess, you already know it's me," it was my turn to nod, "are you going to tell them?"

"No,"

"This, all of this, this is the truth?"

"It is,"

"Can you prove it?"

"No,"

"Then why should I believe you?"

"I don't have anything to back up what I just said. But you'll have to trust me. Do you trust me, Lydia?"

She seemed to fall on top of me. She let me take her weapon and put it in my sheath. She just leaned on me silently. She's still not saying anything, but she doesn't need to. I was unsure what to do until she began shaking her head.

"No," she said, her voice soft but cracking, "I can't trust anyone. I can't trust anyone." She kept repeating that phrase but it became quieter each time gradually it was less than a whisper and eventually, it was silence.

"Alright, that's ok," my hand began to stroke her hair, she stiffened at my touch but relaxed almost instantly, "you don't have to trust me. But I trust you, Lydia. I just thought you should know that."

"Ok," she was clinging onto me now

She let me carry her back to the inn. I think she was too tired to keep fighting me. I sustained… minor injuries but that doesn't matter too much. The innkeeper was nowhere to be seen but the candles kept the hall lit. I opened the door to find my sister sitting up on her bed.

"Where were-" she began talking but I quickly shushed her. She moved to protest until she saw Lydia.

"What happened?" she whispered

"I'll fill you in, help me get Lydia to bed," she quickly lift up her own covers so that I could put Lydia under it. She pulled a few buckles and her armour slid off. She had to move her around a bit to take the armour off but Lydia was heavy enough a sleeper.

I opened the door and signalled for her to go out. We took a seat on a bench and I began explaining the situation.