"Will you have more?"

Her cheeks were flushed and eyes darkened from drink as she looked down at him with a lazy smile. He could not help the smile that spread across his own lips as he accepted and she traded the empty mug on the table for the full one in her hand. Many years ago he had determined precisely how much he could drink before he became addled and this would be the beginning of crossing that threshold. He sipped as he watched her make her way to another table with confident strides that would belie her current mental condition if she wasn't also running into every chair along the way. She was laughing and he liked seeing her relaxed and enjoying herself. Seeing her easy smile made him think it should always be there.

Over the last two evenings, he had sat at the same table near the kitchen where they had shared bread, watching the festivities. During the day there had been games and events around town but he had no interest in such things, so he had instead occupied himself by taking advantage of the presence of so many merchants to sell off items he had acquired during his travels with Roggir. As it was, he would be quite comfortable for some time. His current wealth was not so large that he could hang up his sword- not that he was near ready to- but traveling with the Dragonborn had been far more lucrative than any other job he had taken. So lucrative, in fact, he'd made a point to insist Roggir call upon him if he needed help in the future. Whether for him or someone else, Teldryn knew he'd leave again at some point and for the first time, it raised feelings in him other than the thrill of adventure. He took a long drink.


She wouldn't normally drink on the job but it was the final night of celebration for the New Life festival and she decided that she could stand to live a little. Especially since the stock of special Colovian wine Geldis had ordered in was starting to dwindle, it was now or never if she was going to get some. It was getting late and she'd had enough that she was getting light-headed, knowing that was a sign she had better slow down before she was rendered useless. She wished she could have enjoyed the festival more, instead of spending all her time working. She had to satisfy herself with only hearing about events like the archery contest and puppet show. Now that she had let the wine loosen her up though, it didn't seem so bad.

"Hey Niyya, how's it going?" she asked as the redguard exited the hallway with a look of disgust.

"The privy is an absolute wreck," Niyya griped, a slight slur in her voice. "I don't even think Ash Mountain could produce enough to cover that stench."

"You mean Red Mountain?" Vanya giggled.

"Yeah, what did I say?"

She snorted, "Ash Mountain." Tears were already in her eyes as she laughed, the alcohol in her veins making the slip of tongue funnier than it had any right to be.

"Well, it might as well be!" Niyya said with a cackle as she made her way across the tavern.

Vanya was wiping her eyes and trying to keep the hysterics from returning as she pushed through the crowd toward a table near the bard that was littered with abandoned dishes. Ragnar the Red started up and Vanya groaned as she stacked cups in her arms. Honestly, she was not a fan of the any of the songs, but at least this guy could sing decently.

"Care t'dance?"

Her blood turned to ice as she recognized the heavily slurred voice. She did not even have a chance to turn before Gjollmir's arm clamped around her waist, pulling her back roughly against his body as his other hand grabbed clumsily at her chest. Dishes clattered to the floor as she tried with both hands to loosen his arm on her waist, emitting a panicked whimper as she realized it was a futile effort. He shouldn't be here. He shouldn't be here! The heat of his body infected her, her stomach roiling as he breathed on her ear, "Nasty bit o' business last time wasn't it." She choked on the scream that rose in her throat, unable to set it free despite every cell in her body willing her to do so. He was immovable as a brick wall, she didn't stand a chance.

Suddenly she was thrown forward onto the table as he released her, her vision hazy as she turned to see Gjollmir rearing back like he was being pulled by his hair. He swung his elbow with a cry as he turned around and the clamor of the crowd indicated that he'd connected with whoever had grabbed him moments before.

Niyya's voice caught her attention. "Vanya! Are you alright?" she cried as she rushed over to help her off the table.

Vanya shook her head as her face twisted into a sob and she clutched her friend like a lost child.

"Let's go," Niyya said as she led Vanya in the direction of the kitchen. When they moved far enough for her to see around Gjollmir's hulking frame, Vanya stopped. Teldryn was standing a few feet in front of the nord, pulling his fingers away from a bloody spot on his lower lip. He examined the blood on his fingertips for a moment, then his eyes slid up to the man and he smiled.


He'd seen the blow coming, but his inebriation had slowed his reaction time. The N'wah was proud of himself, standing there dumb as a horker, and Teldryn grinned wickedly, eyes narrowing on his opponent.

"So you're the elf, huh?" the man spat. "I expected better from a sellsword."

Teldryn heard but did not register the words, the din of the tavern faded, his senses picked up only the subtle shifts in the man's body language and the tang of his own blood in his mouth as he stepped toward him. Gjollmir's eyes widened and he pulled back to take a swing. Teldryn leaned back to dodge the clumsy punch then threw himself forward to slam his fist into the man's stomach, causing him to double over. A swift knee to the face brought the man back up and Teldryn shoved him against the table behind him. He regained his feet, leaning on the table, his nose and mouth dripping blood. It wasn't enough.

Teldryn advanced, the deadly whisper of his dagger the prelude to the man's atonement. The place on his side was exposed, he'd bleed out within minutes. Just then, Teldryn's arm was seized and he heard Geldis' voice.

"Teldryn, no! I've had quite enough blood spilled in my inn!"

The sounds of the tavern broke through his hearing and Teldryn blinked. He allowed Geldis to pull his arm down and stepped back, not taking his eyes from the nord who was straightening himself up, looking defiant.

"Coward, fight me like a real man," Gjollmir taunted, his speech garbled by blood and a broken nose.

"I'd rather not waste my time," Teldryn replied coldly.

The crowd parted and a group of four guards pushed through. "That's enough fun for tonight," said one of the guards as two of them seized Gjollmir. The other two eyed Teldryn warily as he still had his dagger drawn, though his arm was relaxed.

"Teldryn...er...I think you ought to come with us," said the guard who'd spoken previously. Teldryn narrowed his eyes and the guard put up his hands. "I'd appreciate if you'd sheathe your weapon. I'm not arresting you but I'm sure Captain Veleth will want to talk to you." He looked down his nose at the guard.

"Not arresting him. He's the one with the dagger drawn!" Gjollmir hollered. "Filthy gray-skins!" Teldryn made a show of sheathing his dagger, quirking his brow up at the snarling nord.

"Get him out of here," the guard ordered.

As the others dragged Gjollmir away he sneered, "Oy, Vanya. Does his cock taste like ash just like everything else in this fucking town?"

All eyes in the room turned toward her except for Teldryn's, his still glinting with malice at the man being dragged up the stairs as he cursed.

"Uh, Teldryn?" the guard said timidly. "You coming or not?"

"Yes."


He was in Modyn's office in the process of healing his split lip when the captain sauntered into the room, closing the door behind him. Modyn sighed heavily as he walked around his desk to take his seat.

"You mind telling me why you nearly gutted a man in the tavern?"

"He attacked Vanya, I pulled him off, he wanted a fight," he said lazily. "So I gave him one."

"Not much of a fight when you're pulling your dagger, Teldryn. Was it really necessary to try and kill him? I know the life of a sellsword is 'kill or be killed' but you're not on a job, you don't get to kill everyone who offends you." Teldryn glared coolly as the captain rubbed his forehead. "For the love of Azura, he's just a fucking drunk miner."

Teldryn curled his lip. He'd gotten carried away, he should have given the man his beating and finished him off later. He rolled his neck to ease his frustration. "What are you going to do with him."

"Probably hold him for a day or two and levy a fine for disturbing the peace."

"Not good enough."

The captain waved his hand carelessly. "I'll make it a heavier fine."

Teldryn sneered, "More septims in your coffers is certainly the pinnacle of justice."

"What would you have me do?" the captain pinned him with a glare. "I can't hold him indefinitely for getting into a brawl."

Teldryn brooded for a moment, pursing his lips. "Let me talk to him," he said calmly.

Modyn huffed, "You think me a fool? I'm not going to let you kill a man in my jail cells."

He leaned forward in his chair, seething, "You certainly place a lot of value on this man's life when you so easily sent an unarmed woman to spy on assassins."

"Oh, by the Daedra!" Modyn threw his hands up. "Are you still on about that?"

"Of course! Why would that have changed?" he shouted as he stood up.

Modyn got to his feet in response. "Because it's done! It's over!"

"Is that so? What was her reward, hm? For being a tool in your investigation?"

"She didn't ask for anything."

Teldryn sighed, "Of course she didn't." He walked around the desk coming to a stop in front of the captain, scrutinizing him. "You so readily assured her safety when it suited your purposes, yet now she's been living in terror from this man for weeks and you don't even give a shit."

Modyn raised a finger between them. "That's not fair. I didn't know that."

"Well, now you do." Teldryn crossed his arms. "So what are we going to do?"


"Hand over your sword and dagger first."

Teldryn rolled his eyes but complied, pulling off his sword belt and tossing it on the table next to the entrance of the jails. "Happy?"

"No. And control your fire. If he ends up a smoking corpse I will be very upset."

Teldryn held up his hands, waving his fingers. "Bare hands only. On my honor."

Modyn only scowled, opening the door the jail. "Let's get this over with."

They walked down the corridor of empty cells, Modyn holding his right hand open as green light swirled into his palm. They stopped in front of the last cell to the right where Gjollmir sat on the floor with his back against the wall, his face still injured and covered in drying blood, perhaps learning that insulting the race of those who arrest you makes them not so willing to lend aid. He stood up, glaring defiantly as he opened his mouth.

"Mind your tongue," Modyn hissed, casting the energy in his hand through the bars of the cell at the man before he could utter a sound. Gjollmir stiffened before falling limply to the floor with a thud. Modyn unlocked the cell door and slid it open roughly then turned to Teldryn. "Make it quick." Teldryn nodded and the captain stepped closer, his gaze severe. "After this, we're even. Understood?"

"Perfectly."

Modyn brushed past him and Teldryn waited until he heard the close of the door before he looked over at the man, lying so still he could be dead except for the rise and fall of his chest. Teldryn walked over to the nord until he was right on top of him, a foot on either side of his waist. Squatting down, he studied Gjollmir's face with disappointment as the spell did not allow it to show the fear he knew the man must be feeling. Still, the quickening of his breathing told Teldryn it was there.

There was all manner of things he wanted to say, but Modyn's magicka would not last indefinitely and the jail guard that had been sent away on an errand would return soon. He picked up one of Gjollmir's hands.

"When the guard returns you will request to be sent back to Windhelm." He grasped two of the man's fingers and twisted them back with a sneer until he felt the joints give way, the nord's breathing jumped erratically though his body gave no other indication of the pain. Beads of sweat were forming on Gjollmir's brow as Teldryn moved his hand to the next two fingers. "You will not tell the guard that myself or the captain were here." He repeated the action, the sound of the bones snapping into positions they shouldn't be serving as a balm to his fury. He dropped the mangled hand unceremoniously and reached for the other, tilting his head slightly when he thought he heard a very faint, strangled groan from the man's chest.

He leaned down over the man's face as he twisted the next two fingers, seething, "You don't like being at the mercy of another, do you?"

He finished off the last two fingers with brutal efficiency and stood up. "If I see you, if she sees you, if you contact her, if I so much as hear a whisper of your presence, I swear by Mephala I will cut off your pink little cock and shove it down your throat while you bleed out."

Teldryn closed and locked the cell door behind him then walked back up the corridor, leaving the prone man in silent agony. When he emerged from the jail he held the key up to Modyn. "Done."

Modyn snatched the key from him and his eye twitched as he released the spell. Immediately anguished cries emitted from behind the jail door and Teldryn smirked, the sound extinguishing the remnants of his anger.

"Feel better?" Modyn drawled.

"I do," he said lightly as he picked up his sword belt and strapped it on. "You know, it's strange. The Redoran guard merely impressed upon him the virtues of keeping his hands to himself and he got so upset he punched the walls until his fingers broke." Teldryn glanced at the captain, "At least, that's what your report says, correct?"

The corner of Modyn's mouth quirked up as the pair walked away from the jail. "Are you sure you weren't an Ordinator in your past life?"

"I'm not the one with the paralyzing spell. Or would you have me believe you learned that merely for academic achievement?"

Modyn laughed to himself quietly then turned toward the barracks, calling over his shoulder. "Still on for tomorrow?"

"Of course."