She'd forgotten the spices. "Sorry, sorry, sorry!" she cried as she ran from the kitchen when Geldis asked her for them. She was self-conscious going back out into the market, feeling a little like a chicken with her head cut off. She retrieved the spices and was back in the kitchen of the Netch in no time.

"There!" She dropped the parcel on the counter with a huff, a little out of breath.

"Ah, good." Geldis opened it and pulled out what he needed to season a tray of fish. Vanya scored ash yams, seasoning them the way Geldis had shown her. She also chopped vegetables for the ash hopper stew that was planned for supper.

Soon she was in the zone, flying around the kitchen with growing proficiency. Fairly late in the lunch hour, she brought three plates to Roggir, Erik, and Teldryn. They seemed to be deep in a discussion, the two nords giving her the barest of acknowledgment as she set their meals in front of them. Teldryn gave her a small smile and nodded in thanks before turning his attention back to the subject at hand. She noticed that Erik seemed to be missing a couple pieces of his armor, though it looked like Teldryn had gotten his helmet back.

When she returned to the bar, she saw Bralsa covering a yawn as she sat down. "Tsk, tsk, just getting up?" Vanya mock-scolded.

"Yes, mother," Bralsa replied with a lazy smile and sleepy eyes.

Vanya leaned on her elbows with a grin. "You missed all the excitement this morning."

"Oh?"

"The Dragonborn is back." She pointed over to the table where the trio sat before turning to fill a mug with Sujamma.

Bralsa looked at them. "Lovely." She did not sound sincere. She looked back at Vanya, "I'll get excited when he actually does something for me."

Vanya chuckled as she slid the mug into her friend's hand. "I hear they are going into the mine."

"What in Oblivion for? There's nothing there but empty veins," the dunmer said sourly then took a long drink.

Vanya shrugged, "Don't know, I asked Teldryn but he never said."

"Tell him if he finds my livelihood to let me know."

Vanya shook her head, laughing, "That'll be the day."

A short time later, she noticed Teldryn and the others getting up to leave and when she caught his eye he diverted his course nearer to the counter. He leaned in, smirking, "Well done on the ash yam, by the way." He turned to rejoin his companions before she had a chance to respond, leaving her staring at the back of his head in surprise.

"Thanks," she breathed, though he was well out of earshot. Her eyes slid to Bralsa, who had stopped mid-sip.

"What was that all about?" she asked, lowering her mug.

"Nothing." Heat was rising in her cheeks, the corners of her mouth curling upward despite her attempt to hide it.

Bralsa scoffed, "Nothing doesn't make you blush like a maiden."

Vanya snatched Bralsa's mug and turned to top it off at the keg. "Well, it is nothing so just..." she returned the mug, a bit ungracefully. "Shut up. I have work to do anyway." She hurried away, leaving Bralsa grinning smugly.

It was nothing, Vanya told herself as she stacked dirty plates on a tray. Teldryn was being kind since she'd complained about cooking ash yams earlier. He was just really nice, that's all.


After cleaning up lunch, Vanya kept to her word and went to check on Niyya. She was greatly alarmed when Milore answered the door looking as if she'd been crying.

"Is she okay?" Vanya rushed inside, looking toward the place where the woman still lay.

"Oh, my dear, yes, yes. I'm sorry, I'm just overcome." She gestured to a coin purse that was spilled out on the table.

Vanya's eyes widened. "Where did that come from?"

"The Dragonborn, before he left for the mine. He bought a couple of potions and said he was giving a little extra to cover for Niyya's care. Vanya, that's five hundred septims."

"Wow."

"He's a saint," Milore said reverently. They both looked at the still sleeping woman, and Vanya could see she'd had a change of clothes. The older woman continued, "She roused for a while and I was able to help her bathe and eat." The redguard's hair was a damp rats nest. "But I had to give her another sleeping drought, she just writhes in pain."

"Did your potion help at all?"

"I can't tell, though it does seem I was able to negate the poison effect." A twinkle passed through her eye before she sighed in frustration. "But we may need to rely on prayer."

Prayer? Vanya had heard the names of a few gods, Azura the most, but she'd rarely seen or heard anything besides the occasional invocation- whether as a blessing or curse. There were no church services, just the temple that might as well be a part of the Bulwark for all the attention paid to it. She was a Christian- or had been. She wasn't so sure now.

Milore turned back to the gold on the table. "I must pay Geldis for the wine, it will be a simple thing now with all this. Come, how much is it?"

"Seventy-five septims," Vanya replied absently, preoccupied with her thoughts.

"By Azura!" Milore breathed. "Just as well, I believe I will need it all."

Vanya went to the basket she had left and pulled out a comb. She was not able to do much but she could tidy up the poor woman's hair. Comb in hand, she sat on the floor and positioned Niyya's head on her lap and began picking through a knot.

"Good thinking, it will be a mercy to do that while she sleeps." Milore left her to her task, which suited Vanya's distracted mind.

On Earth, God had been real to her. She'd prayed for deliverance at the beginning of her time on Nirn but something felt different. Like there really was nothing on the receiving end of her supplications. What happens to a soul promised to the god of the universe when that soul leaves the universe? Would he try to get her back?

Could he?

She forced that line of thinking from her mind as she felt it push her toward a chasm she had walled off. She stroked the warm golden hair that she'd been able to smooth out. She wanted to pray for Niyya, but who would she pray to? She was afraid to ask anyone as she felt it would bring unwanted questions about how she'd made it to her age with no knowledge of the gods, or at least some sort of belief system. She could play dumb, pretend it was part of her amnesia, but she wanted to talk about her god- or seeming lack thereof- as well as the gods of Nirn.

She was nearly finished with Niyya's hair when it occurred to her. Teldryn. He was the only one who would understand. He was the only one who knew her secret and it was apparent that he'd kept it so far. She hoped she'd see him before he left Raven Rock.


That night and the entire next day, Vanya kept an eye out for any sign of the trio. She was quite sure she would know if they came through since practically everyone in town was talking about the fact that they had gone into the mine. That evening it seemed like every resident was packed into the tavern, hoping to be present when the Dragonborn returned. As the night stretched on and there was still no sign, people started to go home. Vanya went to bed wondering if perhaps they'd snuck off while everyone was packed in the Netch.

Hours later she was pulled from sleep by whispers in the main hall. It was not totally unusual for a guest to wander through the doors in the middle of the night, but her eyes popped open when she recognized the timbre of Roggir's voice. If he was back, that meant...

She got up and crept as quietly as she could into the kitchen, leaning hidden against the archway to hear better. She ventured a peek into the tavern and in the low light saw the three men standing with Geldis in the center of the room.

"...incredible news. Are you sure you won't stay?" Geldis asked.

"Yes, we must make haste to Tel Mithryn," Roggir replied.

"I see. Then you must come back through so we may celebrate your accomplishment. Councilor Morvayn will surely declare a festival in your honor."

"Perhaps. But for now we will gather our things and be off, there is much to be done. Thank you, Geldis, for your hospitality."

"It's been my pleasure, truly."

Moments later Geldis came through the kitchen, passing Vanya without noticing her. He was chuckling to himself as he headed toward his bedroom. I wonder what they did to make him so happy?

She peeked back around the corner and the room was empty. Had they left already? She walked out toward the bar, leaning over it to scan the room. Then Teldryn appeared from the hallway with his pack over his shoulder and his helmet under his arm.


Her hair was loose, a little mussed from sleep, and she wore a plain sleeping gown that revealed a little more shoulder than her usual tunic. She did not seem uncomfortable to be seen in such a state of undress so he approached, unable to suppress his smile.

"You're leaving?" she said as he neared the counter, her dark eyes wide and round in the low light with shadows playing across her collarbones as she breathed.

Sheogorath's Beard, she's dangerous. He forced himself to focus on her face as he answered. "Yes."

"I guess you found what you were looking for?" Her hands fiddled with the laces that gathered the neckline of her gown.

Stop that. He nodded. "We did."

She nodded as well, seeming distracted. "I wanted to ask you something and it might be a little strange..."

Well, now he was intrigued. "Alright."

She hesitated a moment and then walked around the bar to stand in front of him, close enough that he guessed she must use juniper oil in her hair. He held his breath.

"I can't ask anyone else because you are the only one who knows that I'm more than just an outlander," she said in a low tone.

He started breathing again. "Truly? No one else knows?"

She shook her head.

He was about to ask why when Roggir and Erik entered the room.

"Ready?" Roggir asked, glancing briefly at Vanya then back to him. Erik grinned.

"I'll be out shortly," he replied, not looking forward to the shit he was going to catch for this.

Erik waved at her. "Hello, Vanya."

"Hello, Erik." She waved back, sounding a little amused.

Mercifully, the two nords left and Teldryn turned his attention back to Vanya who was now chewing her bottom lip.

Gods damn it, woman.

"Is he going to be upset?" she asked.

"He'll live. What is it you need?"

She took a breath. "Well, Milore said something about needing to pray for Niyya's recovery and I want to do everything I can to help but where I'm from there is only one god. I mean, there are many religions but I was raised to believe in one god."

He tilted his head. This had definitely taken a turn he had not expected.

"I believe in my god, or I did." He noticed her eyes misting over as she looked at nothing in particular. "But I can't feel him anymore. I can't really explain it, I used to feel something back on Earth. Many people would say he didn't exist but I felt something. I believed it. And now it's gone." She looked as if she might cry but quickly composed herself. He didn't know what to say.

Her eyes met his. "Teldryn, are your gods real?"

He nodded. "Yes. They are real."

She seemed to relax at this assurance. "So who do you pray to? Azura?"

"Azura is not my patron, but I do pray to her. As do most dunmer."

"Patron?" Her face pinched in confusion and Teldryn felt himself growing frustrated, not because he did not want to be having this conversation but because his time was so limited.

"Vanya," he said. "I want to help you but..."

"You have to go," she finished for him. "I understand. I'm sorry, I know it's a heavy subject to bring up out of the blue like this."

If he could not help, at least he knew someone who could. "Go speak with the elder of the temple. You don't have to tell him anything you don't want to, but ask him these questions."

She nodded, giving a small smile. "Okay, thank you."

"Good luck, Vanya," he said as he stepped back, giving an encouraging nod.

"Same to you."

She ran one hand up her other arm, her deep gaze not faltering as the image of her burned itself in his mind. Dark hair flowing over warm skin that glowed like honey in the lantern light.

He tore his eyes from her and quickly turned to leave, fitting his helmet onto his head as he walked up the stairs, pulling his cowl over his mouth before walking out the doors.

The two nords were standing by the well, waiting. As he approached, Erik said, "I wasn't sure you were coming." Though the ebony helmet obscured his face, Teldryn could hear him smirking.

"Here I am," he replied, not slowing down as he passed by them. They fell in beside him and the three headed toward the gate of the Bulwark. The silence was short-lived.

"So did she give you a token? A ring, a silk kerchief?" Erik asked, stifling a laugh.

Teldryn sighed loudly.

"Aw c'mon, dagger-ears, give me something here," the younger man whined. "Was she telling you to be careful? To come back to her in one piece?"

Teldryn shook his head and glanced at Roggir, who was smiling as he forged ahead.

"If you must know," he said pointedly. "She wanted to talk about prayer." At this Roggir's smile turned into a laugh and Erik scoffed. They didn't believe him, and that was perfect.