"So what are you doing with your day?" she asked while stacking dishes on the tray Teldryn held out for her. She was a little surprised how much they had accumulated; cups, plates, a teapot, scraps of food and a half-empty wine bottle that was entirely her doing.

"I'll go bother Modyn for a while," he said after a moment of consideration. "See what he's doing with the guar."

"Going to help?"

His expression soured. "More like see when the training yard will be usable again."

Her mouth curled up sardonically as she set the last teacup on the tray. "I'm sure he'll appreciate you breathing down his neck."

"We don't have to continue your training, I suppose," he said lightly, a sly smile pulling at his lips. "I rather like this new arrangement."

"Let's just find somewhere else to train. Out on the beach or something," she offered, picking up her basket. "Besides..." She turned toward him, advancing until she was up against the tray. "It would be away from prying eyes."

He tilted his head as his eyes darkened. "I like the way you think."

She noticed his fingers twitch around the edges of the tray and smirked, taking a step back. "Too bad your hands are full."

"You underestimate me," he said as he shifted the tray onto one arm, reaching out for her. She jumped just out of reach with a squeak, then laughed as the cups on the tray toppled over causing him to steady it with both hands. "Shit, how do you carry these around without spilling everything?"

"It helps that I don't go around trying to grab people," she said as she pulled the key from the lock and opened the door. "Can you make it to the kitchen?" He stopped righting the cups and leveled his eyes on her in a cool gaze as she raised her basket on one finger. "Or do you want to switch?"


He examined the waster, smirking when he saw the tell-tale scuffs on the end where she always let it hit the ground when she was exhausted. He put it under his arm, then collected the one he liked to use. Training on the beach sounded like an excellent idea to him. These worn hunks of wood wouldn't be missed.

His eyes wandered to the dulled steel swords. Perhaps...

With the two wasters under his arm, he picked up a steel sword to test the edge with one of his fingers. She was proficient enough to start practicing with steel, though he suspected she might resist the idea. What they'd done so far was child's play. It was time to see if she could be a little more aggressive. He smiled to himself, returning the wasters to the rack and reaching for another sword.

"What are you doing?"

Teldryn turned his head to see Modyn standing with his arms crossed, eyeing him with scrutiny.

"I'm borrowing these," he replied, picking up the sword and looking it over. "Not like you're going to be using them."

"You got me there," the captain groused as he leaned against the wall. "And I certainly wouldn't want you to miss any training sessions with Vanya."

Teldryn stopped examining the sword and slid his eyes to Modyn, whose grin was far too smug. He rolled his eyes. "Is it written on my fucking forehead or did Dreyla awaken in the night with a sudden revelation?"

"It's a small town, Teldryn," Modyn said flatly, then added with a shrug, "And Dreyla said Niyya told her."

"Of course she did," he replied sourly. It was a wonder Glover kept any secrets with that sieve of a woman around. He put the sword down and picked up another.

"Took you long enough," Modyn said with a smirk.

Teldryn snorted a laugh. "You're one to talk."

Just then, Nathala came breezing out from the barracks but stopped short when she spotted Teldryn. She flexed her fingers around her staff as she quickly glanced between the two men, then took off across the yard toward the guar.

Modyn cast an inquisitive eye toward Teldryn who only shrugged, raising his eyebrows. "Strange," he said innocently as they both looked to the girl who was glaring at them rather magnificently.

The captain pinched his brow with his fingers. "I don't even want to know, Teldryn. Get out of here before you cause me any trouble."

He gazed over the guar, then back to the captain. He sniffed conspicuously. "Gladly," he said as he tucked the swords under his arm and turned away, leaving Modyn shaking his head.


Vanya sat on her bed scanning the pages of her alchemy book, running the tip of her lockpick back and forth over her lips. Thistle and cotton root tea...

Going by the illustrations, she was pretty sure she had seen both of those herbs among the bundles that Milore received periodically from the mainland. She breathed a small sigh of relief that she wouldn't have to ask around. By her age, she should know better than to behave so recklessly.

A light rap at her door got her attention and she saw Geldis entering the room, a small bag in his hand. "Bringing your pay for the week," he said as he approached and set it on her nightstand.

"Thanks. Oh, you know what," she said as she sat up, reaching for the bag." I owe you some money for the, uh.." She cleared her throat. "...things I took last night."

"Ah," he said, watching her count out coins. She set them in his palm with a tight-lipped smile. "Thank you." He closed his fingers around the coins then turned hesitantly to leave. After a few steps, he groaned as he turned back around. "Vanya, I..." he stopped, his mouth opening and closing as she waited uncomfortably, feeling a little like a child about to be scolded. He sighed, his face almost pained as he looked at her. "Just don't get hurt, alright?"

He was worried. Sweet, sweet man. She looked at him warmly as she got up. "Geldis..."

He put his hands up. "I know you're a grown woman and I like Teldryn," he assured, widening his gesture before dropping his arms. "It's just...the other day...when you were upset." His brow furrowed deeply. "It killed me."

Poor Geldis. She looked at the floor and swallowed, wishing she could have controlled her emotions more to not cause him so much concern. "There was a lot going on that day," she said as she scratched behind her ear. "I was upset with myself as much as him, but it's all worked out now." She reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze, meeting his eyes. "There's nothing to worry about, okay?"

"If you say so," he said, his gaze as unconvinced as his words.

"I do," she replied confidently as she pulled him into a hug, smiling into his shoulder as he returned it tightly. She kissed him on the cheek as she pulled away. "Now, I'm going to run a quick errand and I'll be back to help with supper."

He nodded, still looking uneasy but said no more as she left the room.


Milore was outside finishing up a transaction with a customer when Vanya approached.

"Vanya, I missed you yesterday," the dunmer said brightly as she lifted a small vial of red liquid from her ingredient chest. She turned to the waiting young man who had a very uncomfortable looking rash spanning his face and neck and handed him the potion, instructing, "Drink all of this and if you are not better by morning come and see me again."

He scratched his cheek and took the vial, muttering something that sounded vaguely like a thanks before hurrying away. Milore grimaced a little before turning her attention back to Vanya. "So how are you, dear?"

"Good," she said a little too enthusiastically. "I'm actually looking to buy something, um..." She toyed with the edges of her tunic. "Do you have any thistle or cotton root?"

Milore's eyes widened as she regarded Vanya curiously. "I do, in fact." She turned to her chest and opened one of the larger compartments, pulling out a small sachet. "I might sell more of this than anything else with all you young people around," she said, holding it out with a twinkle in her eye.

Vanya pursed her lips to hide her grin, taking the sachet. "Thank you, Milore. What do I owe you?"

"For you, nothing." The dunmer waved dismissively."Just take it." Vanya opened her mouth to object, but Milore spoke over her. "Tomorrow I'll show you how to make a magicka potion, alright?"

Vanya sighed as she gave in, nodding in agreement. Another customer approached so she took her leave. "I'll see you tomorrow."


She set his plate in front of him and was not surprised in the least when he caught her wrist. Teldryn held her gaze as he ran his hand down to her fingers, tugging at her pinky.

"You still have something of mine," he said.

She knit her brow.

"My room key?" he clarified. "You never gave it back this morning."

She gasped and pulled her hand away, slapping it to her pocket where she had put the key after locking the door. "Oh my God! Why didn't you say something? I didn't even think about it!"

He shrugged. "I didn't need to go in there. And I knew where it was."

She tutted as she handed the key over. "Still..."

The key flipped lightly between his fingers as he smirked. "I can leave the door unlocked."

She raised an eyebrow. "Those linens do need changing."

"Can I watch?" he asked as he tucked the key away.

She felt her cheeks redden as she laughed, biting her lip as a boyish grin spread on his face. "Better yet," she said. "You can do it."

His smile faltered as he squinted doubtfully. "That's not better."

"No?" she purred as she leaned on the table. "Just think how pleased I'll be to come in to see a ready-made bed after a long night of work."

A playful glimmer shone in his eyes, though he still looked unconvinced.

She straightened back up. "So I'll bring you some fresh linens after you're done eating?" He sighed as he picked up his fork, which she took as agreement and turned away with a smug grin.