Diamond didn't know what to do after Libitania left Jorrvaskr.

She can't say pandemonium broke loose, but there was just an unsettling silence as the Companions tried to wrap their heads around everything. Her heart sank when she beheld Malick's face: even he was pale with shock, and even fear. He just stared at Zusa's head, as did everyone else, until Libitania left the hall. Then after moments of silence, he turned his head to her, exhaled and just walked back out through the front doors.

Finally, it was Torvar who was brave enough to pick up the head and carry it out towards the back porch, and then the Companions turned to Diamond, as if she knew what to explain to them. But she didn't.

Now sitting at the table, careful to avoid making eye contact with the blood spot from where Zusa's head was, Diamond has all of the members around her – minus Farkas – and she takes a deep breath before she explains.

"Zusa Phoenix kidnapped me while I was in the Brotherhood. She forced me to stay in hopes it would turn me over to her side. Meanwhile, she sent a note out to Astrid, the former leader of the Brotherhood, saying that I have changed sides. And in her rage, when I returned, Astrid crossed me and practically sent me to my death, but then Maro betrayed her and sent his men out after the Sanctuary, with the help of her Faceless Assassins. Two of the memers tried to help me escape, Malick was one of them, and the other –" Diamond folds her lips in and sighs. "The other did not survive. And I thought she had killed Malick too, until now. But when I returned to the Sanctuary, everything was destroyed that day. Everything. And three years later, Kodlak found me, and the rest is history."

"But what is Libitania's connection?" Ria asks softly.

"Libitania – Libby – was in the Faceless before she even became known as the greatest thief. She was there since she was a child, and moved to Riften once she found the Guild, the home of her father. After that day, I swore I would do whatever it took to take Zusa down, but in reality, I was so scared, so afraid that all I really did was hide away from her and never have to see her face again."

"And Malick is the one you came inside with?" Vilkas asks.

Diamond's heart feels heavy, but she nods her head. "He found me after all this time and we needed to catch up. A lot."

"So, what happens now?" Njada asks.

"I don't know." Diamond shakes her head. "From what I've gathered, the news has to have spread around all of Skyrim by now. The Queen of the Underworld, slaughtered by her protégé. I just wonder if she spared the rest of the Faceless Assassins."

"Why?" asks Aela. "They are all killers who chose that life."

"Not all by will, Aela, mind you." Diamond boldly speaks. "Some of their stories, you wouldn't even believe."

"Frankly you have no room to speak, either." Athis adds. "Some could say that because we're all Companions, that if one dies, we all die. And you know for a fact that is not fair."

A heavy silence falls as the two give a glare at one another, neither backing down.

"As much as I hate to say it," Torvar says, "just from the look on Libitania's face, I don't think she spared anyone."

Diamond doesn't believe so either. She doesn't even want to believe that the person who came into this hall was Libitania. That was someone else. Someone lethal, not her friend. Or rather, former friend, but now, Diamond just can't accept that.

Libitania can't be her former friend, after all, she did this for Diamond, she just knew it. Why else would she present the head to her? Why else would she come to the hall? To Whiterun? Unfortunately, her timing could not be more off, as Kodalk's funeral is today, something she completely forgot about as her thoughts were dominated with Malick.

She has to see Libitania now, that is granted Farkas isn't with her when she does. But where could she have gone? She can't go to Drangonsreach with Nassari, her home was burned . . . Could she have gone back to Riften? No, not with her being so close to Jorrvaskr. So she's still in the area. Somewhere.

Lifting from her seat, Diamond excuses herself, ignoring Vilkas' offers to company her. She walks towards the front doors, still not ready to confront Zusa's head just sitting on a chair around the back porch.

Pushing through the doors, she takes a deep inhale of air, reminding herself that this is indeed a reality, somehow. She closes her eyes and leans against the wooden pillar, crossing her arms. Somehow, things seem, lighter. While she didn't get the vengeance she wanted, she knew in her heart she wouldn't have been able to face Zusa, possibly never. Just cower for the rest of her life while the echoes of Zusa's presence still hovers over her like a haunting raven.

All she really has is the cruel pleasure of imagining what exactly Libitania did to her while she mutilated her ass, and probably destroyed the Faceless Headquarters. Diamond wouldn't be surprised if Libitania tore it down brick by brick herself. Oddly she hopes that Libitania did spare some of the members. Much of them weren't all bad.

A small smile creeps onto her lips as she remembers Miss Lusha, or Lulu, as the members called her. The crazy, old woman who saw visions of the future. And there was also Kiara, the Khajiit with amazing lean legs. Most of the members were surprisingly nice; all the more reason why she needs to speak with Malick.

They were really the only family he had, no matter how dysfunctional they were. And to have Libitania come in and just eradicate them all . . .

Opening her eyes, Diamond blinks as her eyes focus forward and she freezes when she sees Malick just head, down the three steps, speaking with another woman.

A beautiful woman for that matter, wearing a dress of fine make, but designed for that of a courtesan with its fitted body and low neckline to reveal a full cleavage. It's icy blue color contrasts heavily with her green eyes, and her blonde hair is set in curls around her shoulders, an even finer hair comb pinning back one side of her hair.

As the men and woman walk by, guard or common folk, they all stare at her, eyes widening, mouths opening and tongues dropping to the ground. Diamond would've walked down those steps and shoved the girl afar had it not been for the tickle of familiarity in her mind.

The woman's eyes flick to her, and her perfectly shaped brows lift. Her eyes go back to Malick and he turns to look to Diamond, her heart skipping a beat. He turns back and nods, as if to confirm something. The woman's eyes light up with excitement and Diamond watches Malick's shoulders hop as he chuckles, the woman even daring to put her hand on his folded, smiling to reveal a mouth of perfect, white teeth.

Just as Diamond is about to descend the steps and grab the woman's hair, her eyes suddenly focus on the woman's eyes, and she finds them outlined in kohl, like a cat eye.

Diamond's eyes widen and she inhales through her nose.

Eloria.

Gods, she, she hasn't seen Eloria since their dinner together in the Faceless Keep. She made it out alive, or perhaps Libby spared her. But judging from just how calm and well-dressed and clean she is, she couldn't have been there when Libitania killed Zusa. So then, where has she been?

She looks amazing as always, her body seems to more muscled

Eloria and Malick are still talking, Malick still with his arms crossed and still ignoring Diamond's presence. He nods here and there, Eloria doing most of the talking. She had to be telling him what happened to the Faceless, so all Diamond could do is continually, patiently, torturously wait until the two are done talking.

Diamond knew she was probably rushing Eloria with her presence, and while she knew she could go down there and join, it just wasn't her place. Let them have their talk.

432134567890- slight movement behind Eloria's skirt makes Diamond look twice. She carefully angles her head to peer down and then Malick's head angles too. Then Diamond can't stop her gasp when a small child – practically a spitting image of Eloria – steps out from behind her skirt, holding a small gathering of yellow flowers in her hand. Eloria sets her hand on the girl's head, and smiles, speaking to the girl while gesturing to Malick.

Malick crouches down, folding his hands together and the little girl smiles, shyly cowering behind Eloria's skirt. She has on a cute dress of cobalt, her blonde hair set in pigtails with curls winding down. Her eyes are a stunning turquoise blue, her face sprinkled with freckles. Cute, and still stunning.

Eloria bends down, picks up the girl and holds her in her arms. She speaks to the girl and she little child then extends her arm, giving Malick the flowers. Diamond watches as Malick plays coy, setting his hand on his chest in flattery and taking a singly flower, and tucking it behind her ear. The little girl giggles, shyly burrowing into Eloria's neck. Eloria giggles and resumes speaking with Malick.

Diamond can't believe it. Eloria is a mother – no wonder Libby spared her. Or, no, from how old the daughter seems, around four or five, Eloria had to have escaped or somehow left the Faceless and had a kid. She had to be married, unless she's been reduced to a courtesan to make money . . . No, no. Eloria was a smart woman. Diamond just can't believe it.

Finally, the two nod and Malick this time, is actually the one who steps forward to embrace Eloria in a hug, Eloria angling herself so the child doesn't get squished between. Malick lowers his head, speaking to the child who only giggles, hiding behind the flowers and nods her head to whatever it is Malick says. He tickles her side, and she giggles with Eloria. More words are exchanged and finally Eloria turns away with the child and heads down the steps.

Diamond straightens as Malick approaches, his hands casually in his pockets. He has a small smile on his lips, well aware of Diamond's mood and flood of questions begging to break past her lips.

He comes up to her and holds out his hand. She takes it without word and lets Malick guide her towards the back porch of the hall, still on edge about Zusa's head still there, but less afraid with Malick leading the way. He rounds them towards the back, past the porch towards the small watchtower and they take shelter there, Malick interlocking their fingers and leaning against the stone balcony, looking out onto the plains.

"So what happened?" Diamond asks, not wanting to wait.

Malick shrugs. "Eloria apparently got out. She's been out for years now. She settled down and got married."

"And her child?"

"About four years old, Eveline is her name."

"She's so cute, and beautiful."

Malick chuckles. "Yeah, she is."

"So what is she doing now? Because I want a dress like hers." Diamond asks, still waiting for her moment to ask him what happened to the Faceless. Still, she leans against him, forcing herself to bite back her giggle as Malick's arm wraps around her, his hand taking her fingers and resting against her hip.

"You couldn't work something like that even on your best day." Malick amuses, smiling through the wince at the pinch Diamond inflicts. "She's an apprentice in Arcadia's Cauldron, married to a wealthy merchant. Apparently they've been living in the Cloud District."

"She's been here this whole time and I've never known?!"

"It's not like you actively went looking for you. She was surprised to see you here too."

"What did she say?"

"Not much."

Diamond pouts as she bumps Malick with her hip. The small pink in his cheeks is enough to inform her of the conversation that might've been exchanged.

"So what happened?" Diamond asks.

"Apparently, around dawn, Libitania came to the keep and quite literally slashed her way through. Zusa had over a thousand members before she sent Libitania to Cidhna Mines, after her attack from before, there were only five hundred left."

"She cut the numbers in half?" Diamond exhales. She never knew the exact estimate, and now she wishes she didn't. Libby destroyed the Faceless just as Ulfric Stormcloak slaughtered those six hundred Khajiit rebels. But Libitania is not Ulfric, but does that make the situations different?

"Yeah, and apparently, she only spared those she knew. By that I mean only Kiara. Eloria was already gone. Everyone else, they were too loyal to let live." Malick says, his voice going deeper. "They say that you could hear the screams from miles away, and the odor of blood was so pungent, carried across on the wind. Libitania then proceeded to set the whole house on fire, burning every last little possession that Zusa had, and letting those who weren't dead from their injurie to die by the flames. After the entire place was gone, Libitania went to the bank and transferred all of Zusa's money to each of the surviving members, including me, but none for herself. She dropped the body to the guards in the closest hold, Solitude, and that was the only money she kept."

"How much was it?"

"Let me put it this way: if all of the jarls pooled fortunes together, it would still look like chump change compared to how much Zusa is worth." Diamond swallows. Something in her gut told her that Libitania didn't keep that money either. Money isn't much of a problem for her anymore, and since she already gave money to the former members, could she have possibly given this to the rebels in support of Erelia Glendeylin?

Diamond looks to him, and boldly touches Malick's shoulder. "Are you okay?"

There's a moment of silence, Malick only staring into the open field. "I've always had this, fantasy that one day I would be brave enough to take Zusa out. But deep down, I knew I couldn't. I wasn't good enough. While I would've liked to ensue my own personal vengeance, in truth I knew it was Libitania's anyway." He lowers his gaze, his shoulders relaxing. "Now . . . now it's almost unbelievable. I'm actually free. I'm free from her, from my debt, from the life that damned me for years."

"I thought you loved what you did, avenging women of Skyrim, giving them a voice, a fighting chance." Diamond softly reminds.

"We did, but after you left, we became no better than the Brotherhood. I thought that with this guild, at least we wouldn't be like the others. We'd just be taking down other criminals, not just eliminating them because they were competition." He says quietly. "It just, needs time to settle in. To actually trust and believe that I'm free. Because now I need to think about what the hell I'm going to do with my life."

Free. Freedom. The one thing that Libby always pined for. The reason she took the contract with the twisted prince, the reason why she dared to fight Zusa despite the death looming over her. The thing that drove her to keep fighting and to keep perusing.

The irony in the situation is, peculiar. Libby was so bent on gaining back her freedom from everything: her debt of Skyirm, her debt to Zusa, to the prince. With everything gone, perhaps she doesn't know what to do with herself either. Diamond's heart stammers when she thinks of Libby joining with the rebels. Why would she take on another burden when the possibility of a normal life is at her feet?

"Was a normal life an expectation that you didn't believe?" Diamond asks.

A simple tilt of his head. "Of a sort. Most of it was believing that I was destined for something more than just working in a shop selling food, or clothes, or ale or potions. I guess some part of me wants to keep that alive; because I have these skills, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the thrill of it. But deep down, I knew it wouldn't be a good fit forever." He looks to her. "So, what happens now?"

She doesn't know. She never knew. Speaking in terms of reality, Kodlak's funeral is in a matter of hours. And once that's done, his death and absence will have settled over her, and Jorrvaskr. They'll need a new Harbinger, something Diamond is by far not ready to face yet. No one would run the Companions better than him. No one ever will.

But what is she to do with herself. When Kodlak was here, she didn't mind going on missions, traveling around Skyrim and getting paid to fight for good, but now, does she want to keep doing that for the rest of her life; until the gods call her to Sovngarde? Now, now this doesn't feel so right; but it could just be grief.

"I don't know." She sadly mumbles, her voice sounding distant.

The warmth of Malick's hand permeates her clothing, flaming her skin hot as he pulls her close. "Well, whatever life has to throw at us, I can only hope we can do it together."

Diamond looks to him, hiding her shiver as he kisses her shoulder. "You could join the Companions."

Malick chuckles. "I don't think so."

"Better than standing over a hot stove and brewing soup all day." She smiles.

Malick nods his head and smiles. "I suppose, but that just isn't the life for me."

"Just a suggestion."

"Will you be okay?" Malick asks, resting his chin on her neck.

"I will. With time." she answers, meaning more than just coming to terms with Zusa's death. "Where will you go?"

"Anywhere you do. Now that I have you, I will not let you go again, unless you ask me to." Another kiss on her shoulder, then another on her neck, then another just below her ear.

Diamond stiffens, taking a deep breath to calm her tingling skin. She turns to face Malick, her arms wrapping around his torso, exhaling as he embraces her, his lips pressing into her hair.

She angles her head up, staring into those eyes that could make her feel like floating in an ocean. After a slow blink, she pushes on her toes and finds his lips. His hand move sup to hold the back of her head, his fingers entangling in her hair. Slowly she can feel him kissing away the questions and aches within her, if only for a moment.

The sound of the doors opening hits her ears. Naturally she would've stepped back from Malick immediately, but she just wants to hold on this feeling for a heartbeat longer. When she does pull away, Malick smiles and strokes her cheek with his callus thumb. He blinks and his eyes flick upwards to look behind her, and his smile slowly wans away.

Diamond turns to follow his stare.

Vilkas.

The world suddenly slows, and her ribs suddenly feel too small to contain her rapidly beating heart.

He's standing there with a mug and a small plate of her favorite dinner meal. Numbness prickles along her entire body, and her ears become muted with the sound of her pounding blood.

He just stares at them, his mouth slightly agape. She needs to say something, but what can she say at all?

"Vilkas." Her lips say, but they don't even feel like hers. She can't even hear herself with her ears muted.

As if snapping himself out of the shock, closes his eyes, takes a deep breath and sets the food and mug on the table. Zusa's head still a few feet off on a stool.

"Just a friend." He speaks, Diamond nearly shaking at how hoarse his voice is, like gravel. "Right."

Without another word, he walks back inside, the door shutting too quietly behind him.

Silence. So palpable and thick it's nearly suffocating. Malick leans his back against the wall. He lowers his head and his shoulders slowly rises and falls. He looks to her, still locked on the door. Her hand comes up and covers her mouth, and tears stream down her cheeks. She leans against the opposite wall, standing next to Malick now feeling so wrong.

"I'm sorry." he mumbles, but doesn't make any advancement to touch her.

Torn between wrapping herself in his warmth or keeping her distance, Diamond only wipes her eyes and sniffles.

The look on Vilkas' face. He looked as if she had just hit him. how can she talk to him about this? They had their moments, but they never really kissed like she has with Malick. She refused to kiss him because of Malick.

Her eyes find his hand through her tears, and she reaches out, grasping only his forefinger. Malick's other fingers layer over hers, and Diamond strokes his finger with her thumb.

She knew the decision. She knew it for years since they first met. And despite what she would have to do, for once, her heart is in the right place, with assurance.

"I need to help prepare Kodlak's body for the funeral." Diamond says. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

Malick nods, and Diamond spares a quick peck before turning away, releasing his hand and heading back to the hall. Malick doesn't follow her. In fact, when she turns back, the watchtower is already vacant; as if he never was. Looking to the table with Zusa's head, nausea clenches her stomach, and impulsively, with anger fueling her, she grabs the head by the hair and heads back into the hall.

Without looking around, she throws the head into the fire. Remembering the words of a fire spell, she opens her hand and aims it at the head. The head erupts into a flame, the wave of heat making sweat materialize on her forehead. Then it slowly burns away, the skin peeling off like paper, the hair falling into ash.

Diamond looks to her right and finds Aela, a fork stuck in the middle of her chicken. Diamond decides to collect only Aela and possibly Eorlund to help prepare Kodlak's body for the funeral. He's been in the Hall of the Dead for a couple of days now, and hopefully the priestesses have done a decent job of making him look, not so mutilated.

"We need to prepare." Diamond says gruffly.

"As you wish." Aela says, wiping her mouth with a napkin. "But before we begin, perhaps Farkas would like to help us."

"I don't know where Farkas is."

Aela only gives a small smile as she gets up from the table and leads Diamond out towards the front doors. Opening the doors, she takes an inhale as she finds Farkas leaning against the stone wall bordering Jorrvaskr, a different kind of broadsword strapped to his back. It's of a certain made that she can't place. Could it be that he . . .?

His eyes flick to her, and she almost steps back from the deadly predatory gaze she sees within them. Looking at her like she's a piece of meat he wants to rip and devour with his wolf teeth. Pure hatred and anger and spite.

"Where have you been?" Aela asks as she approaches.

"Away." He coldly replies. How is it his voice sounds so different? Has she just not heard his voice in a while?

"Care to divulge into that?" Aela asks impatiently.

"No."

Diamond takes a small step back, feeling the tensions building like a big ball of wire. Built like a battering ram, Farkas is like the stone to Aela's beautiful, brash fire. She hears Aela growl, but just as quick the huntress turns away and starts to walk towards the Hall of the Dead.

"Fine." She speaks. "Let's just get Kodlak."

Diamond hurries up to her, leaving Farkas at her back. She almost didn't feel comfortable having him behind her in worry that he will drive a dagger into her spine. So she keeps up her pace with Aela, letting her hands fall to her side – close to the dagger strapped to her thigh.

The walk to the Hall of the Dead was unnervingly quiet, even worse when they entered and Aela asked the priestess to lead them to Kodlak. As they follow the woman down the corridors and under archways, Diamond could feel Farkas' stare burning in the back of her head. The hall reeks of dead bodies and gathered dust, resulting in an air so thick that she can feel it contents scrape her throat.

Diamond doesn't even want to imagine how many bodies were put here because of Libby, or how many in any other halls of any other holds. After hearing the truth behind Kodlak's death, and after seeing Libby bring in Zusa's head, seeing the creature that she is becoming, Diamond knew what she could, and to do. Libby was on a dangerous road where there will be no return. She's letting anger fuel her fire, an anger that blurs the lines of justice, vengeance, and savagery.

So as they enter the private chamber the priestesses sectioned off just for Kodlak, Diamond stops before the threshold, after Aela has walked in and says, "I want you to bring Libby to the funeral tonight."

Silence, but her statement brought enough surprise to have Farkas raise his brows and Aela turn to her with a confused expression.

"What makes you so sure she'll come?" Farkas replies, his voice still laced with a deadly calm. Aela is keeping close attention on him.

"Because she needs this. She wants this."

"Frankly I don't think it's fair for you to speak on her behalf, considering you've completely turned your back on her." He growls.

"I understand the weight of my mistakes –"

"No you don't." Farkas roughly interjects. "You still understand so little, Diamond, even with the training we have provided, even with the tutoring and lessons, you still fail to see the truth in fits of rage."

"Like Libby has room to speak." Diamond dares to bark back. "You have any idea how many lives she has taken within the past months, weeks?"

"But still she delivered justice to those who betrayed her."

"Justice and vengeance are two different things, Farkas." says Aela.

"You have no room to speak, Huntress. Considering the reckless actions you two beguiled after Skjor's death."

Diamond can feel Aela stiffen, her throat vibrating with a guttural growl.

"We are no different from one another." He then turns away and begins to walk back towards the entrance of the Hall of the Dead. "I'll if Libitania wishes to come, your answer with be decided when or if she decides to arrive."

With that, he leaves and doesn't look back. Diamond turns to Aela, who only gives a tight-lipped expression. She ushers Diamond into the chamber. Diamond follows, and moments later they are in a tiny room with only one table set in its middle, a blanket covering the body. Even with the reality that's shattered her world, even with the fact that she cannot deny, Diamond still hopes that Kodlak could not be under the blanket. That somehow, someway blessed by the gods that he has somehow been returned to this world. Returned to her.

But alas, then the priestess removes the blanket, too gently, frankly, Kodlak's newly healed face is revealed. And her heart breaks all over again.

The priestesses did a wonderful job in undoing the damage that Zusa had done to him. Compared to how . . . damaged, he was before, the simple scars here and there across his face are absolutely nothing.

His features are softened into a relative handsomeness for his age, relaxed as if he really is just sleeping. Somehow they gained new armor for him and have his hands set resting together on his sternum, his hair falling over the edges of the table. Diamond doesn't even know how they did put him together again with what she saw.

But here is her Harbinger again, whole, and forever asleep like a doll. Diamond can't help her eyes as they water as she extends a hand out and touches her Harbinger's scared face. Vilkas was right. He looks so peaceful, and he is in a safe place. She nearly shivers when she feels his skin cold to the touch.

"Do you think I made the right decision?" she quietly asks Aela.

The Huntress turns from speaking with the priestess, giving her a nod to leave. Once the doors close she gives her full attention to Diamond.

"Do you think it was right to invite her? After everything I've done?" she turns to Kodlak, removing her hand.

"I'm afraid I cannot speak on your, or her behalf, Diamond. You know her more than I, and you said so yourself that she needed this."

"What is she doesn't come?"

"That is her decision to make. But really I think you yourself knew why you asked her in the first place."

"Kodlak would've done the same."

"I can't speak for the old man, and you knew him far more than I. Who knows, perhaps it was his influence that drove you to speak those words of invitation. Bur you've now lair your cards on the table, now it is Libitania's move."

"I suppose." Diamond sighs.

"Do you hope she will come?"

Diamond is silent for a moment before she opens her quivering lips.

"I don't know."


Libitania sits on the stool, nervously twiddling her thumbs as she watches the Dunmer male she's come to know as Valil poke an ink-tipped needle into the arm of a hulking male of an Orc. He grunts, gritting teeth and taking deep breaths, but he exhales and swallows back his pain.

She's been sitting here beside Valil for hours now, watching him and his artistic hand bring forth to life ink art upon multiple bandits, etching stories and designs and insignias into their skin with black ink. Pictures and words writing in the Ancient Falmer Language, a tribute to Erelia and the Falmer, to mourn and embrace and possibly revive their lost culture.

At this bandit camp to which she and Nassari and Farkas have been staying in since her rescue, she stumbled upon Valil by accident while delivering soup to him when he failed to turn up for dinner. She knocked at first, and then came an urgent sounding, "What?" and she eased open the door, claiming she was to deliver dinner.

It was then that she saw a female Imperial, half naked and sprawled across on her back atop a workbench. Valil was seated before her, and it took Libitania all but one heartbeat to notice the flattened needles, the small cauldron-shaped cat of dark ink, the rag soaked with ink and blood, and the tracings of a tattoo snaking from the Imperial's left breast down her ribs and right to her hip bone.

Panic and worry set in as Valil rose up from his seat to collect the tray of food in her hands, but relief flooded her as he smiled gently and asked if she wanted to watch. Without hesitation, Libitania nodded, and after consenting with the female Imperial, Libitania found herself entranced as she watched Valil bring to life the Imperial's life story upon her skin. She even conversed with the Imperial on what the tattoo says, and her heart broke at the story the female Imperial spoke. A life of heartbreak, tragedy and the joy of rebirth.

Her visits have now become regular, to an extent – nearly three times a week – to watch new clients come in, and so see new designs and etchings. When she first asked where they learned the Ancient Language of the Falmer, they claimed Commander Johncar received it directly from the supposed knight-paladin hidden away within the reaches of Skyrim. As proof that the markings were real, Libitania dared to bring her father's journal; of course she didn't show anyone, only used it for her own clarification. And they were right. Exactly right.

She, the princess and Farkas have been at this camp since the execution of Prince Joric, by her hands, and after she strolled into Whiterun bearing Zusa's head. After she left, it was as if she had broken out of a trance, and her body become absolutely exhausted with seconds. Her knees nearly buckled beneath her the moment she stepped out of the gates. Now with her debt paid to Skyrim, and Zusa and the prince dead, she didn't know where else to go.

This camp was relatively, more up on the means of refinement as they actually built log small cottages within the shelter of the trees. Passing by, one could easily mistake them for Alchemist cottages, but nothing more. They were simplistic with most comforts of home.

The reason why she was here tonight being because she needed the company after awakening from another dream that she is still struggling to shake off now. Someone holds her safe and warm. Horses prance through a silver storm. Figures dancing gracefully, across her memory. Far away, long ago, glowing dim as an ember. Things her heart used to know, things that yearn to remember. And a song, someone sings, weaning emptiness of her heart.

Valil starts to trace the outline upon the upper bicep and the Orc grunts from the pain less mild now. Hugging her knees to her chest on the stool she sits, Libitania rests her chin on her knees. Next to Valil, pressed under the small pot of ink is a piece of paper with the runes of the Ancient Falmer, a small cheat sheet to use so that he doesn't mess up. The Orc apparently was writing down the stories of his battles, listing the names of the brothers and sisters he had lost.

It's late in the evening by now, and Libitania would've gone to Nassari to speak about her dream, one of many she has been experiencing this week, but she was busy with meetings tonight, speaking with this camp's general, while staying in touch with Commander Johncar.

Farkas caught her in here several times, but didn't say anything, and then she would return to him once the sun has set and Valil was done cleaning up his workspace.

"Have you considered getting one yourself? Or perhaps you wish to be an apprentice." The Orc asks.

Libitania blinks before looking to him and shakes her head. "Oh no, I'm just here to watch."

The Orc male laughs. "I see that look in your eyes, temptation is obvious like blood on a blade."

Libitania shrugs. "I don't think my life story deserves to be immortalized, especially on my skin. It'd feel like a leech."

"Not something pretty, I'm assuming." The Orc says, grunting heavily as Valil hits a nerve on the inner elbow.

"Not something that should even be spoken of." She mumbles, huddling further into her arms. Valil and the Orc must sense her sorrow, or her anger because they resumed their tasks, quietly, only the crackling of the fire as company.

A few more minutes pass by, or perhaps another hour. Despite her head clearing of the blinding rage, her heart is still heavy with grief and emptiness, and now there's nothing to suppress the icy silence in her heart, nor to fill the hollowness of a purpose missing in her heart. So now the world still seems to be passing by within minutes, or within eons.

Soon a knock comes at the door and Libitania insists Valil to keep working as she gets up and goes to the door, ignoring the complaining in her joints. She opens the door and finds Farkas on the other side. His presence grabs the attention of the Orc, and then of Valil. They spare him a nod of acknowledgement and Farkas quietly asks to speak with Libitania outside.

She follows him outside and he ushers her on a walk. He laces their hands together and Libitania doesn't say anything as he leads to the pond she sprinted to nights before after another nightmare left her shaking.

He sits on the tree stump and he pulls her into his lap. Despite that he brought her out here, she asks, "How did it go at Jorrvaskr?"

"Well I had quite the welcome back," he shrugs. "And as suspected it was a struggle not to splay Diamond's blood all over the stones." Libitania pinches his side and he chuckles. "But I was given an interesting proposition."

Libitania looks up to him. Farkas sighs.

"She wanted me to ask you, if you would attend Kodlak's funeral." Libitania angles her head to look at him, her eyes wide. Her mouth is slightly agape, about to further interrogate, but Farkas adds. "I told them it would be up to you to decide."

Libitania closes her mouth, swallows and says, "Diamond asked you directly?"

"Yes."

"Did she say anything else?"

"Only things that were exchanged between our bickering." Farkas admits.

Libby rests her head on his shoulder, sighing through her nose. "I don't know if I can face them. Not after what I did."

"You mean after you went there with Zusa's head."

"Would they even allow me near?"

"You didn't kill Kodlak, Libby. They have nothing to be upset about, nor nothing to hold against you." Farkas reminds, taking her chin and tilting it up to stare at her. "If anything, they should welcome you with open arms again. Especially after you avenged Kodlak's death."

"Your opinions have become too strong, in regards to me, Farkas."

"I'm sorry, Libby, but it is just how I feel."

"If you let your anger guide you, it'll only lead to more heartbreak. You'll run everything dry until there is nothing left. I know this for a fact."

She feels Farkas swallow with regret from her words, a little harsher than how she meant it. But it is true; her anger was what drove her to torture the prince without remorse, to take down the entire guild of the Faceless, and even defeat Zusa Phoenix, while also sparing time to make her pay for everything she had done. But now, she's exhausted everything that was burdening her in her life, or well, most of it, so now she has nothing left.

"So will you attend?" Farkas asks.

"Perhaps once the ceremony is over. I just don't feel comfortable being in front of them."

"I suppose that's fair, so long as you attend. I know he would want you there." Farkas says, resting his chin on her head.

"I just . . . there are some words that I wish to speak with him in private."

"I understand." He rubs her shoulder and kisses her forehead. "What shall we do after? Have you given it any more thought?"

Libitania swallows and sighs. "I have. And I can't." She feels Farkas shift and she leans back to look up to him. "I can't leave, Farkas. I just can't. This is my home. And I can't leave."

Farkas sighs. "I understand. I just hate to see you in such pain, to continually live on the land that has destroyed so much."

"It's not the land, Farkas. It's the people."

"Does this mean you'll become part of the war?" he dares ask.

"What will you do if I were to say yes?"

"My heart will grow heavy, and I will become wrecked with worry – but you are my heart, beloved. And I will follow and support you wherever you may go."

Her throat constricts and she kisses Farkas as her eyes water. "I'm sorry." she mumbles.

"For what?"

Libitania sniffs, wiping her nose with the sleeve of her tunic. "Because I am a gods-damned mess." she mumbles. "I feel so lost."

Deep down, she knew what she had to do. She knew what she had to become in order to fill the void and make for all of those missing pieces of herself, of her pass.

She just hopes that she'll be ready to face it.