"Oh, what a beautiful morning…oh, what a beautiful day…"

Jensine hummed a little tune to herself as she walked across the street of the Imperial City market district. She continued to whistle the theme as she pulled out a set of rusting iron keys and began to twirl them around her finger. It was a bright and sunny day. Her spirits were high, despite the problems presented to her as the head of the small merchant's guild. She decided that today she was just gunna lay back and enjoy life.

She unlocked the door to her shop, "Jensine's Good as New Merchandise." She had the broadest business in the district. Well…second broadest…

No, no, don't think about that, she told herself. She flipped the sign on the door from "closed" to "open," and walked in, still thinking to herself…today I'm just gunna lay back and enjoy life…

In a matter of seconds she found herself lying sprawled across the floor, a throbbing pain in her head. Not exactly what she had in mind…

A hand grabbed her by the collar of her shirt and hoisted her back up. She caught a glimpse of a female Nord standing in the corner, watching her with eyes filled with sorrow. Such an odd look…this was not a normal robbery…

She was turned around in mid-air by the hand that held her, and faced a male Nord with a much more grim look on his face. He looked at her middle-aged face, her light blonde hair now ruffled across it. She gazed back at him with defiant blue eyes.

"The money is in a safe upstairs, behind a painting over the crates-" she began. It was more of a reflex than anything.

"We do not want your money," this man said, eyeing her carefully. He nodded to himself, seemingly content that she did not have any concealed weapons or tricks up her sleeve, and let go of her gently.

"Wait a minute…" Jensine gasped, backing away in sudden, shocking realization. She recognized that face…fixed into what seemed to be a permanent grimace, wrinkled with lines of worry; not age, his hair shaved nearly all the way, with a single gray band tied around his forehead. This was the description of the Nord that had killed the Emperor.

Looking over at the female, Jensine recognized her as well. She looked younger than the male, though in reality they were probably the same age. She had long, straight brown hair and the pale skin of one who spends her days studying. A magic user, perhaps? These were definitely them. The assassins.

The male Nord sighed in understanding, and shook his head. "No," he said. "We did not kill your Emperor. I have no means of proving this…but I give you my word."

After pondering for a moment, he added, "though I will admit that my word seems to have less meaning here than it did back home…"

Jensine looked at him intently, then back to his female companion. "You don't look like murderers," she concluded finally. "I may be insane for trusting you, but I guess right now I'm at your mercy. What do you want?"

"Last night I was in a pub nearby…the Feed Bag, or something to that effect," this man explained calmly.

"Yes, I know the place. I am a patron there quite often," Jensine answered hesitantly.

"A fought broke out. I grabbed a man, demanding information…and he gave me a name."

"Let me guess. Mine?"

The Nord nodded, not taking his eyes off of her.

Jensine sighed. "Aye, I am pretty much an authority figure around here…I run the small merchant's guild in this area, and most information goes through me. What do you want? What information are you seeking that's so important the entire Imperial guard wants your head?"

The man cast a quick glance at the woman, who nodded. He turned back to Jensine, and explained. "We are looking for an Argonian. We do not know his name. We do not know specific details of what he looks like. The only noticeable feature I can give you is that there is a circular mark around his left eye…large, as if someone left a dent on that side of his face."

"That is an odd request. And finding this man is worth invoking the wrath of the guards of the Imperial City?" Jensine asked, genuinely curious.

"Yes," the man said simply. He seemed to have no doubt in his mind.

"Actually," Jensine began, "I think I can help you with that. I happened to see an Argonian with a mark just like that, and thought it strange…"

"Where?" the man shouted with such sudden ferocity, she nearly jumped out of her skin.

"Vilfred…calm down…" the woman in the corner said quietly.
"Hmmph…" Vilfred muttered.

There was a knock at the door.

"We cannot be found!" Vilfred hissed, glaring at Jensine. She shrugged at him.

"What can I say, you had a good run-"

Vilfred raised a fist covered in iron armor at her. "Mark my words," he said slowly and deliberately, "I am no killer. But I can fell you with one blow if I must. Get us out of this, or you die."

Grabbing his female companion, the two Nord's ducked behind the counter.

"I don't like this one bit," the female whispered to Vilfred.

"I know, Britte…" Vilfred sighed. "I don't either…"

Jensine took a moment to compose herself, straightening her hair and shirt, then opened the door with a cheery smile on her face.

In stormed two Imperial guards, shoving her out of the way. They were both fairly young, but looked as if they took their jobs very seriously. Their armor was well-polished, their demeanors determined and stern.

"Gentlemen!" she shouted. "What is the meaning of this?"

"We're looking for two Nords, a male and a female," the lead guard announced loudly. "They are accused of murder, not only of multiple Imperial guards, but also of the assassination of the Emperor himself. They have committed the highest crime imaginable in this land. Finding them is imperative to the safety of our city."

"Boys, boys," Jensine said, laughing half-heartedly. "I'm the gossip center of the market district, you think I don't know this already? Of course I've been keeping an eye out for them. But I doubt that if they're loose in the Imperial City, they'd go shopping, don't you?"

"Still, it is mandatory that we search your shop," the guard continued, unfazed.

Underneath the counter, Britte grasped hold of Vilfred's hand.

"Do you accuse me of harboring asssassins?" Jensine said sternly, fixing her cold gaze upon the guard.

"N-no, of course not, ma'am," the guard said, faltering. "But it is simply protocol. I-"

"I seem to recall that it's also protocol to remain sober when on patrol," Jensine said softly, "but I seem to remember finding you stumbling about a few weeks ago, and I don't seem to remember reporting it to your superiors…or am I mistaken, Wariel?"

The guard gulped. "Stand down," he told his comrade. "Jensine is as respectable a citizen as they come in this city. We'd be wasting time searching here."

His fellow guard saluted, and walked off. Wariel smiled sheepishly.

"I do apologize for the inconvenience…it was really all his idea, he's very 'by the book,' I'm sure you know-"

"Yes, yes," Jensine said, ushering out the door. "Now if you don't mind, you're scaring away potential costumers. I don't want it to look like a crime is going on here."

"Quite right, quite right. Thank you for your time…" And with that, Wariel stumbled out, unsure of what exactly had just happened.

As Jensine closed the door again, Vilfred and Britte stood up from underneath the counter.

"Thank you," Vilfred said softly.

"I don't want thanks," Jensine said firmly, now believing she was in control of the situation. "I want answers."

Vilfred looked sidelong at Britte, who nodded.

"I am wearing this gray headband around a shaved head as a symbol of mourning," he announced. "Approximately one month ago, my brother was murdered."

Jensine said nothing, watching him carefully, absorbing every word.

"I do not know why. My brother was well liked, and had no enemies that I know of. I had never seen this Argonian before. Our village consisted almost entirely of Nords…but I saw this Argonian approach our house. I was in the woods right outside the village, collecting wood, so I only saw him at a distance.

"I hesitantly walked back over to the house, fear overwhelming me. I walked inside, called out my brother's name, but there was no answer. Fear growing inside me, I walked through our small house, checking every room. He was not there.

"Then I heard the struggle from out back. I rushed through our back door, and saw the Argonian plunge a dagger deep into my brother's heart. His back was facing me…I saw my brother's face as pain erupted through him, then watched the life drain from his eyes. I erupted in anger, and charged the Argonian…

"He only half turned, allowing me to see the strange mark around his eye. But before I could hit him, he landed a strong blow over my head, first. I hit the ground, and though I tried to get back up and ready to resume the fight in an instant…he was already gone. My brother lay dead in front of me."

Jensine held her breath, afraid of disturbing this story in any way. Vilfred's heart was in his eyes, as he relived every moment of that day.

"I found a trail," he said, so soft it was almost a whisper to himself than a story to others. "I got Britte, and we left that night…the long journey to track him down and get justice. That trail led us here, to the Imperial City."

Vilfred looked up now, his eyes staring straight through Jensine.

"While his physical trail become impossible to follow inside these city walls, we began investigations. And that trail…has led us to you."

Jensine nodded. "I can help you. And I think, in the process, you can help me."

"We would gladly repay you for your help," Vilfred said.

"Let us go into my back room, so no one will barge in on us," Jensine offered. "I have a proposal that I think will benefit us all."

"There is a Wood Elf who recently set up shop here in the market district," Jensine began, after Vilfred and Britte had been comfortably seated, and declined the offer for anything to drink. Jensine was, before anything, a businesswoman, and so she started right in with her proposal.

"His prices are so low, we of the merchant's guild are going out of business," she explained. "He charges less than it costs to make some of his stuff, and he refuses to talk to any of us about joining the guild. He's up to no good."

"What do you want us to do? We are not diplomats," Vilfred replied.

"The only way this man, Thoronir, is accomplishing such business tactics is through shady means, I assure you." Jensine paused for a moment, then said, "I saw this Argonian with the strange mark around his eye walking out of there no more than a week ago. If he is the shady character your story certainly seems to portray him as, he may very well have connections with Thornoir."

Vilfred jolted upright. "Then we must go confront Thoronir!" he shouted. He was about to grab Britte by the arm, when Jensine chuckled at him.

"Really now. You can't be any more tactful than that? Tsk, tsk…"

"What do you suggest?" Vilfred snapped.

"Calm down," Britte warned, tugging him back into his seat. Vilfred rubbed his temples and apologized.

"Quite alright, I understand…here's what you do." She leaned forwards and lowered her voice, more for dramatic effect than anything. "Case his joint. Ask questions, follow him around. He recognizes me and the other merchants, but you would be able to find out information without him noticing. I have a hunch that this trail will lead you straight to this Argonian."

Vilfred and Britte exchanged a glance. So much seemed to be conveyed without a word, then Vilfred stood up again.

"We cannot thank you enough for your aid," he said.

"Actually, you can. Bring Thoronir to justice along with this Argonian, and I've benefited as well."

"Then we must not wait another moment," Vilfred announced. "Come, Britte. Let's go."

"Are you forgetting something?" Britte asked softly.

Vilfred seemed to think for a moment, then his eyes went wide. "Of course…we cannot go out into the open. The entire city guard is looking for us…"

"Then you'll have to be sneaky about this," Jensine suggested. She opened her mouth to say more, but there was a knock at the front door of the shop. "Damnit," she said. "Look, in the basement is a grate into the sewers. Go through there. Find a way to watch Thoronir, it's the only way!"

With that, she had to rush off. The two Nords quickly made their way down to the basement, where amidst a bunch of dusty old drawers and tables, was a heavy iron grating.

"I was really hoping it'd be a while before I had to go back down into the sewers,
Vilfred said with a sigh.

By a complete work of fate, Thoronir himself was singing "oh what a beautiful day" when he heard a clatter from the floor below his shop, "The Copious Coinpurse." Looking oddly over at the wooden door that led downstairs, he stopped his humming and found an eerie feeling wash over his body.

He shrugged and continued counting his inventory. He had the look of a salesman, the kind who would sell you your front door for double the price. He was not an evil man, but he was crafty. And there was that noise again!

Thoronir kept a small sword under his desk for protection. He had no idea how to use it, and had never had reason to before now. He clutched the hilt nervously, staring down the door that led up from the basement.

He wasn't sure what happened in the intervening few seconds, but the next thing he knew his head was crushed against a countertop, and a very angry Nordic face was very close to his.

"I'm afraid we're closed," Thoronir muttered, gasping for breath.

Britte touched his arm, so Vilfred relaxed his grip on Thoronir just enough for the Wood Elf to be able to talk clearly. He swiveled his eyes around to face his assaulters.

"The money is in a safe hidden under-" he began.

"What is it with this city and money?" Vilfred snapped. "We don't want any damn money!"

"You're the ones the guards are looking for," Thoronir said knowingly. "You'll both be killed!"

"Probably," Vilfred said, picking up Thoronir in one hand. "But we have business to deal with first."

Britte opened the door into the basement, and Vilfred threw Thoronir onto the floor, then walked down after him. Britte extinguished the lights in the shop, to deter anyone from snooping around, then followed.

"What is this all about?" Thoronir gasped, trying to back away into a corner.

"Your inventory," Vilfred began. "It's very nice."

Thoronir looked at him for a moment, his face blank. Then he erupted. "If you wanted to pay me a compliment for my inventory, you could've walked in the front door and said so!"

"I am a man of peace," Vilfred said, "but I would recommend you cooperate."

At first all Thoronir could think of was his stark, unwavering fear. He was a very small man, like most Wood Elves, and would thus be crushed by this Nord. But as he actually looked into his aggressor's eyes, he saw that it was true: hurting him would hurt Vilfred as much as it hurt Thoronir.

Vilfred kneeled across from the wounded shopkeeper, looking him square in the eye, and described the Argonian. He did not reveal his story to this man, for he knew not if he could be trusted.

Thoronir looked at him pleadingly. "I don't know the Argonian," he began. "Yes, I saw him, he was in my shop. But…I knew him through an intermediary."

"What?" Vilfred asked, confused. "Explain!"

"The man I get my inventory from! I don't know, this Argonian came in and said he knew him, so I gave him a discount…"

Vilfred looked deep into Thoronir's eyes. He wasn't lying. In all honestly, the poor man probably didn't know anything shady was going on.

But it all fit – this man, this supplier for Thoronir, was the key to it all.

"What's his name?" Vilfred asked, his excitement getting the better of him.

"He's a Nord, like you," Thoronir began. "Named Agarmir."

Vilfred stood up slowly. His face went ashen white, and his lips began to turn purple. So alarmed did he look, Britte lunged forwards, afraid Thoronir had slipped a poisoned blade into him.

"What is it?" she asked, quickly grabbing his arm and helping him over to a table to sit down on.

"Please don't sit down on-" Thoronir began, as the table broke under the Nord's weight. The Wood Elf flinched, but Vilfred showed no notice at all.

"Agarmir is from our village," Vilfred began. "From before you came, Britte…"

He had never been on good terms with Agarmir. He believed in resorting to force immediately to get whatever you wanted. The two clashed heads together on many issues throughout their younger years.

But he wouldn't kill his brother.

An Argonian he had never seen before and a villager he hadn't seen in years, all wrapped up in the death of his brother. Vilfred could feel the chasm of mysteries opening underneath him, sucking him in. And he had a feeling this was just the beginning.