Nade. Nade. Nade. The bastard's name repeatedly rang in my head as I wandered the streets of Windhelm. Somehow, I'd found Nade's son, which I didn't even know he had. Then again, it wasn't like Nade had been the most honest of men.

Biting my lip, I decided to listen to that little voice in the back of my head screaming at me to return to the inn. Strangely enough, it sounded an awful lot like that damned ranger. "You'll get yourself in trouble," I mocked. "You can't take care of yourself!" I gave a huff, warm breath clouding into the frigid air. "Blah, blah, blah." I licked my lips and instantly regretted the action as my mouth froze. I needed to get inside. I wasn't quite ready to look at Bishop without wanting to smack him in the face, so I decided to try to find a different tavern. Maybe I'd even stay the night there.

I patted at my waist for my coinpurse, mentally slapping myself as I realized I'd left everything in the other room- including my swords and money. "Dammit." I resolved to pickpocket a drunk as I headed off. I'm sure I'll find one, I reasoned, especially in a tavern. I headed in the opposite direction from Candlehearth Hall, looking at the architecture as I passed. It was old, somewhat similar to Bruma's castle while retaining a unique look. Eventually, my surroundings showed less care and more tear. Dark Elves milled about almost exclusively, and I realized I was in the thick of their slums. I wasn't worried here, and in fact, felt more comfortable than in the Nord-populated part of the city. It was unlikely for me to run into trouble here, I figured.

I stared at the few shops I passed. "Calixto's House of Curiosities," I read aloud. "New Gnisis Cornerclub." Voices were ringing out inside the cornerclub, and I figured I'd found the town's second tavern. A Nord stood outside, and I tensed up as I prepared for another fight. To my surprise, this one gave me a nod before continuing to carry a conversation with a Dark Elf. I suppose not every Nord in this city hates outsiders, I reflected, thankful that I wouldn't be bothered.

"...And you lot are lucky I don't get my men in here to teach you all a lesson!" My already sour mood darkened even more as I recognized the voice. Entering the cornerclub only confirmed it. The crude Nord from the night before was barking at everyone inside. The Dark Elves, instead of looking scared, just looked tired.

"Please leave, Rolff," the bar-elf said, leaning on the counter with his head in his hands. His black hair spilled over his ashen fingers. "Please, leave us in peace."

"Not likely!" Rolff snarled, puffing his chest out. "You don't-"

"Shut up." The air crackled with tension as he quieted and turned my way. His face flickered with recognition, quickly filling with hate.

"You," he growled, talking through clenched teeth. "You're that witch!" I gave a grand bow, clearly mocking him. "What do you think you're doing?"

"I don't know. Why did you go after me this morning?" The confusion in his eyes was enough to convince me he wasn't the would-be killer, but that didn't mean he wasn't a dick who needed a lesson taught to him.

"What in Oblivion are you talking about?" he asked crossly. "You're just lucky me and Angrenor didn't teach you a lesson when you disrespected us last night."

I stood up straight and crossed my arms. "Leave the Dark Elves alone."

Rolff simply sneered at me, laughing at my demand. "You? Ordering me around? Ha! You've got some nerve!" Time slowed as I took him in. His skin was stretched thin over a gaunt figure, and he had no weapon on him. His hate was the only force driving him. A bunny would make a more imposing figure to me than this sad sack of shit.

I cracked my knuckles and took a step forward, hoping I could lure him into a brawl. "And you were just too scared yesterday then, weren't you? You spouting about 'lessons' as though anyone would listen to the village idiot," I taunted. I needed to get my anger out, and beating this piece of shit down would undoubtedly help. With the way the veins on the Nord's head popped out, I guessed I wouldn't have to try too hard. Maybe Bishop is right, I mused. Maybe I do attract trouble. I smiled as Rolff rushed me, inevitably running right into a well-placed punch of mine. Well, this one deserves it.

Rolff stumbled backward, looking up incredulously. His astonishment turned back to fury as he cracked his neck and prepared to go after me again. He set his fists up, ready to attack. "Come on!" he snapped. "You shoulda gotten this last night!" A wicked smile spread across his face. "You ain't got no man or hound to protect you this time!"

I squared him up, his chest exposed, threw a quick left hook, and broke his nose. "I don't need one." Thick red blood ran down his clothes while a sick look spread across his face as though he liked it. He retaliated with a swing at my face I was too slow to dodge. He managed a fair hit to my jaw, and I knew I'd have a bruise to show for it. Unfortunately for this Rolff character, it only made me angrier than I'd been entering the fight.

I grabbed his arm and twisted up before elbowing him in the stomach. I followed up by slamming him down over my knee and giving another good punch to the side of his head. I knew I'd beaten him, but I couldn't help doling out another hit or two. Kicking Rolff away, I waited almost half a minute for him to stand up. I prepared for a second round, but the Nord just held up his hands in surrender. All the while, he was shooting a glare that almost rivaled Bishop's earlier. "Alright, alright," he grumbled, stumbling back.

"Get out of here," I demanded, pointing at the exit. "Go crawl back into whatever dirty hole you slunk from." Rolff didn't look very happy at my statement but didn't argue and slipped out the broken-down door.

I rolled my shoulders, feeling better than I had in days. Bonus- I'd nicked his coinpurse in the fight. Sliding into a booth, I noticed the Dark Elf at the counter was looking at me gratefully. "Thank you," he murmured. "Rolff... he gives us a lot of trouble. You didn't have to do that."

"I did," I insisted. "He can't go around, thinking he owns the world and everyone in it, that we should all bow down and listen to his 'superior wisdom' and reward him for it." I didn't know exactly who I was referring to at that point, but the Dunmer just shrugged and pulled out a mug.

"This one's on the house," he informed me, filling it up. "You have our thanks."

I nodded gratefully and grasped the mug. "Of course. Thank you," I added, taking a drink. The mead was sweet, even sweeter than wine. "Do you make this yourself?" I questioned, to which the barkeeper nodded.

"Actually, an old family recipe," he informed me, wiping down the counter. "I used to live on Solstheim- it's an island northeast of here- and my great-grandparents worked with the Nords that lived there and made a special kind of mead."

"Oh? What's Solstheim like?"

"Similar to Morrowind. Full of ash from Red Mountain."

"You don't say?"

The bartender nodded and inspected me. "If you don't mind me asking, are you part Dunmer?" I ran my tongue over my teeth before responding.

"Yeah. Some couple hundred years ago."

The barkeep wiped at the counter. "That's what I thought. It was your eyes, you see."

"I figured."

"Must've been an interesting Dark Elf, I suppose. Not many have that color. Violet? Uncommon, even among us." He gestured to the rest of the red-eyed Dunmer at the tables around the room.

I crossed my legs. "According to my mother, my whole line had them. The eyes, that is. My father did, his father did, his father's father, and so on." I moved my black hair aside to show my ears. Ever so slightly pointed, almost unnoticeable unless it was, well, pointed out. "And these. The skin around it, too."

"Makes sense," the Dark Elf intoned, looking closely. "We're a proud race. Proof of our lineage will continue for many centuries. I'd wager that those eyes will go on for generations past you." We continued to chat, the Dark Elf refilling my drink while I tossed him a few coins from Rolff's purse. After a bit, a newcomer plopped next to me and ordered from the barkeep.

"The usual, Ambarys," he said, smiling pleasantly. He turned to me as the Dark Elf started filling up another mug. "Hello. I don't think I've seen you around town before." I looked him up and down. Imperial, probably in his late fifties, if his wrinkles and gray hair were anything to go by. I doubted he was a threat. "I'm Calixto."

"Calixto?" It took a moment, but I placed the name. "Oh! You own that curiosities shop down the street, don't you?" His smile widened, and I guessed he was happy I'd made the connection.

"Why, yes! Yes, I do. I collected a good bit of the curiosities I have stored there with my dear sister."

I took another drink. "Does she run the store with you?" A sad frown fitted itself over the old man's mouth, and I felt guilty for ruining his good mood. Ambarys set down a plate before Calixto.

"I'm afraid not," he said softly, taking a bite from the bread on his plate. "Lucilla left this world a while back. She was a good soul." Calixto eyed me. "You remind me of her a bit."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

The Imperial man gave a small laugh in response and took a drink. "It was one. Now, milady... may I have the pleasure of your name?"

"Alessia," I responded with a smile. "My name is Alessia."

"Ah, named after Saint Alessia, were you?" I nodded wordlessly at his deduction. "What a lovely name. A lovely name to fit a lovely face." He gained a strange look before pointing behind me. "Why, what's that?" I turned to look, as did Ambarys. I tried to figure out what he was asking about.

I pursed my lips before turning back to the old man. "What do you mean?" Calixto scratched his chin.

"I thought I saw something," he insisted. "A rat, perhaps."

"You know I keep the New Gnisis Cornerclub clean," Ambarys said, a vaguely warning tone accompanying his words. "I doubt it was a rat." Calixto simply shrugged and returned to his meal.

"Must be my eyes playing tricks on me." He regained his smile. "Probably some shadow of something. These old peepers of mine have trouble picking things out sometimes. That's what comes with age. The body breaks down, doesn't do what it used to." Calixto's words were odd, but I passed it off. He was just an old man, after all. Besides, he didn't seem to be treating anyone poorly. Probably from being an Imperial in this rathole of a city. He pushed my drink closer to me. "Next round is on me."

...

"She fell asleep, huh? Don't worry. I'll take her to Candlehearth Hall. I know where she's staying."

"Oh, good. Stay safe."

"You bet." He struggled to keep his laughter in as he slung Alessia's arm over his shoulder. "It's awfully dangerous for a young girl to be wandering alone. Never know who might be walking in the shadows." He walked out the door, allowing himself a small laugh as he headed down the street. "Never know."