Ace

Ace sat outside the cave, all eyes on him. He rose, with false swagger, meeting the expectations of his crew. He raised his hand in a three fingered salute.

"We lost a brave man today. We thought he had been lost, but when we were about to lose, he made the ultimate sacrifice, and now we stand here. Some may view this as a victory." Ace started, looking down on his crew with their glimmering eyes, content with their battle. "But there is no victory in a battle like this. We soon will have completed the mission, and that you may take pride in, but never take pride in battle. All that has come of it is death. The losses outweigh the glory. But nonetheless, Complete the mission!" he finished with a yell.

A single flaming arrow shot the rune, and a chain of explosions occurred through the cave, until there was only a sound like firecrackers popping in the distance. Then a huge, dull boom slightly shook the ground, causing a flurry of birds to fly up from solitude, and the surrounding woods. The cave dropped small amounts of dust and dirt lightly on the floor. They knew the mission had succeeded.

But had it?

Leon

He sat in the tavern next to Bryony, drinking some mead. They were waiting for the mission to be completed, and for Kaitlyn to return. They knew they might be here as long as a week. But there he sat, sullenly.

"So when do we get to this gold mine of yours?" bryony quizzed twiddling a lock of hair between two of her fingers."

Leon sat confused for a second before retorting with a statement about how it was a diamond mine. Bryony didn't care. She just wanted to know what they were really up to. Leon was going to be by Far the easiest to unravel. She took note of his initial confusion for future reference. She got up quietly and left Leon to his mead, and his thoughts. He twisted his head and looked at her, her full figure as she walked away, obviously emphasising her hips swaying motion. He sighed and took another sip

"I don't like her," Annie grunted, pouting, arms folded.

"you think I do?" Leon asked with a slight smile

"Obviously!" I've seen you look at her.. you know.."

"Her what?"

Rose sat down. "Boobs. Her boobs"

Leon spluttered spilling mead on his shiny new boots, causing the two girls to laugh and exchange playful innocent looks at him. After they stopped laughing, Leon began to think.

"I've been thinking-" Leon began

"Wow good job Leon!" Rose gave him a thumbs up

She cold a cold stare from Leon and a giggle from Annie in return

Leon continued "Who is behind all this? Is Jamie planting a seed of doubt and being behind all this? Or is he right, and it's someone Kaitlyn is going to go find? And why aren't they here? Or are they… ARGH"

Leon banged his fist in frustration causing a few people to jump in the process. The innkeeper gave a him a frown but otherwise little else happened.

"Don't worry about it" Annie said in an attempt to soothe Leon. "Jamie knows what he's doing." Leon gave a glance to Jamie in the corner, legs crossed reading a book with a candle to shed some light on the shade of the corner.

Rose tapped her chin "he is bloody smart I'll give him that… but is that enough?"

Annie glared at Rose, not needing the extra anguish in Leon's mind. She got a shrug in return. Leon even managed to get the easygoing thief into a deep curiosity. Annie wasn't worried though. The main concern on her mind was that Bryony. 'Why did Jamie let her come with' She thought. Almost in reply Jamie looked up as she looked over to him. Don't worry he mouthed at her.

Bryony.

She sat outside with Taylor and Gen. Initially she was sitting with Zeera initially who was hilarious and tons of fun, but then she turned back to Taylor and things became duller. But better than being with that overprotective weirdo Annie. I mean seriously, she thought, I give the man a wink and she tries to burn me to death! It's not like I killed her father or anything serious. She resting her hands on her chin and gave a huff. Why am I even here? What do I have to gain from being with these people. Let's face it, I have all the money I could really want, and I was secure with the Jarl… stupid me, I should just go. Everyone here probably hates me.

She got up, "I'm gonna go for a walk." Maybe I can still catch the jarl, if I move quickly. Taylor gave her a cautious stare, before glancing back down to a potion that changed colour as she held it, and Gen continued to sharpen her sword, and she left once she was out the gates she began to jog. Once the guards were out of sight she began to run. She was a fit girl, having managed to evade the khajit well enough, but once a green vial soared over her head, she knew she had nowhere to run. The vial shattered and Vines began to sprout from the bright fluid as it began to sink into the ground.

She turned, expecting to see Jamie or Annie, knowing that was a powerful enchanted liquid, but instead turned to see Taylor, holding a familiar red vial. She had seen that potion when she first met Taylor, or Zeera, and wondered what it could do.

"What are you doing?" Taylor asked, almost politely.

"Taking a walk" Bryony purred, as innocently as possible

"Come back to Solitude."

"Make me" Bryony grinned taking a low fighting stance

Taylor threw the vial almost effortlessly, bursting into flames as the contents splooshed across the ground, igniting the now metre-high wall of plants, and then drew her staff. She began to walk calmly towards Bryony, who slowly crouched ever lower. Then Bryony sprinted at her, yet Taylor sooun her staff, sidestepped with a twirl and struck the passing Brony's back with enough force to knock her to the ground. Bryony's reflexes kicked in and she stuck her hands out in time to do a handstand and cartwheel to her feet, and resume sprinting heading down to the docks. Taylor sighed and sprinted after her, taking a low sprint. She gradually gained distance on Bryony, and eventually Bryony could practically feel Taylors breath on her back, surprisingly, Taylor wasn't tired in the slightest.

Taylor Jammed her staff into a nearby patch of rocks, and pole vaulted gracefully over Bryony, landing in front. She Neatly placed her palm under Bryony's ribcage and pushed, knocking Bryony back several metres, and leaving her completely breathless. Taylor walked up and collected her staff, and gave Bryony a hand up.

"Why won't… you… let me go?" Bryony panted, her voice breathy and weak

"Jamie will explain why we need you. Or why he wants you at least."

When Taylor brought Bryony back to Solitude, they were all waiting Jamie held open the door to the inn for her, and she entered, taking the other seat in Jamie's darkened corner

"So here's the deal Bryony. You can leave, or you can stay. But first you are going to listen."