Nef's negotiations with Brynjolf, Vex and the third leader – Deanne – took much longer than expected. Even though the thieves desperately needed the money, Nef had come as the humble supplicant, and Brynjolf couldn't resist the urge to wrangle every last septim out of her. So they talked into the morning, and soon, as it always does with old friends and enemies, a few bottles of wine were opened and the conversation turned to that most disputed of subjects – politics.

Nef hadn't really gotten into it after returning. Politicians, she found, were the same everywhere, no matter their religion or race. Greedy bastards to boot, too. But things here in Skyrim had gotten a little more heated than usual, what with all the slaughter and everything.

Nef had come through the western mountain passes from Dragonstar in Hammerfell and so hadn't quite experienced the worst of the war. Brynjolf brought out a map to illustrate.

"See here, Whiterun has gone over to the Empire,-"

"That happened right after the siege." Deanne interjected.

"Yeah, and now the border runs right here." Brynjolf ran his finger down the map in the approximate middle.

Nef drew her eyebrows together. "Are you saying the war has stood in deadlock for twenty years?"

"Pretty much."

"Oh dear." Nef sighed. "Things have certainly gone downhill since I left."

"You got that right." Vex laughed. "Here, look at this." She tossed Nef a gold coin. "These are the new coins Imperials are stamping out. Half the value, five times less gold."

It was indeed a mockery of the thing, so light Nef could hardly feel it in her fingers. "And what do the Stormcloaks say about this?" she asked.

"Well, that one's tricky. Ulfric has refused all trade with the Empire and declared the new coin a blasphemy against Talos. I don't know where he gets it from."

Vex snorted. "Probably the boy. I swear he's even more crazy than Ulfric himself."

"What boy would that be?" Nef asked, passing the coin back.

"Ulfric's son, Sigurd. He very conveniently turned up fifteen years ago when Ulfric got sick, and been an advisor ever since."

"I think he's twenty-ish, or something." Brynolf added.

"A bit young, though. The old bear is what? Sixty?"

"Well, stranger things have been known to happen. But he's quite the looker."

Nef coughed. "Ulfric?"

Vex wasn't vexed at all. "Sure, he too. Anyway, Stormcloaks refuse to use the new coinage and are stubbornly holding on to every last piece of real gold they have. They trade only with Hammerfell, but that's not really a problem, since the Redguards finally told the Thalmor to stuff the new coins and go find another orrery."

Nef laughed. "Ya, that was me, sorry. Been in Sentinel for the last two years and saw a lot of action there."

"By action do you mean,-"

"Whatever you heard, it was worse. Thalmor came in, after all, Rihad had been such a profitable port city, and the loss of the orrery at Stros M'Kai was the last straw. Bastards tried to take Taneth again, and I just happened to be there."

Deanne, who'd been mostly silent piped up. "By Talos, you're Thelaria!"

Nef looked surprised for a moment. "Sure. Can't go announcing to the bloody elves that the Dragonborn is coming to spoil all their plans. Again. Also, that was my grandmother's name, and I was very fond of her."

"But you're a legend! You single-handedly killed a battalion of battelmages, freed the captive Forebears and, and..."

"If you look closely enough, you'll find at least fifteen legends that are all me. Anyway, it was half a battalion and I had help."

Deanne was starting to hyperventilate, so Vex gently patted her on the back and said soothingly, "Don't worry about it. Whatever she has done, if you get to know Neffie well enough, you'll find that she's an ass."

Nef laughed and Brynjolf eyed her appreciatively. "And a good one too, even after all these years."

"Bryn, stop being such a lech." Vex sighed, yawned and stretched in her chair. "I think it's time to go to bed. Preferably separately."

Nef yawned too and got up. Deanne got up too and called to the front tunnels. "Neeus, come 'ere!"

The Argonian that had attacked Nef shuffled in. She was moving a bit awkwardly, and hissed, when she saw Nef, but didn't complain.

Deanne nodded to Nef. "Show the Dragonborn," she announced the title carefully, "where she can rest."

Neeus' eye widened. "Yesss, m'lady." she shuffled past them in the same slithery gait and motioned for Nef to follow.

Seeing Nef's suspicious look, Brynjolf chuckled, "Don't worry Nef, she's a good kid and probably won't try to kill you."

"Thanks for the assurances."

The thieves' sleeping chamber was large, with a few misshapen beds and furry bedrolls strewn about here and there.

Neeus waved at the room in general. "The lady can pick a bed for herssself. Neeuss promissess not to kill the lady."

With his dubious promise Neeus left Nef alone in the sleeping chamber, where the stripped her armour and fell in the nearest bed. She was asleep before long, and her dreams were filled with promises and war.

Next morning, which was actually evening for the rest of the world, Nef was nudged awake by Vex. "Rise and shine, Neffie. Bryn's put together a list for you and come see the new arrival."

Nef rubbed her eyes and pulled out the strand of hair that had somehow wandered in her mouth during sleep. Vex was already out the door and her footsteps echoed in the halls beyond. With no other choice, Nef pulled her armour and followed groggily.

On the table was a kettle of tea and a pot, full of porridge. Nef, who had for the two last years had coffee, and exquisite pastries from the local Breton chef for breakfast, was not impressed. Still, she sat down next to Deanne, who was already stuffing her face.

"You don't look satisfied." Bryn remarked from the other side of the table.

"When have I ever after a night in your house."

Deanne and Vex burst out laughing. Brynjolf managed to pull a face of affronted dignity, but seeing Nef's grin laughed too.

"What's this about an arrival?" Nef asked, ladling porridge in a somewhat clean bowl.
"Oh, I think she's an old acquaintance of yours. She's in the front, showing the kids how to garotte properly."

"I didn't know you kill these days."

"It's just the kids. Let them dream."

The shadowy figure that slipped in the room minutes later was not who Nef was expecting. Astrid had taken to age well, or rather, had wrangled her years until they fit her. Nef almost squealed in delight and ran to hug the blonde assassin. Astrid didn't look surprised, only smiled enigmatically as usual and hugged Nef back.

"Welcome back, dearest sister. I hope your holiday went well."

"It was packed with adventure, certainly." Nef replied, giddy with joy.

"Hopefully you have brought back stories of satisfying murder."

"Oh, lots! Wait til you hear about the minister I burned alive hile he was taking a leak..."

Deanne, who'd been watching wide-eyed, asked, "Sister?"

"Not in blood, but a bond just as strong." Astrid said.

"Yeah, I saved your butt once."

"A favour I repaid twice over."

"Well, anyway, Astrid has come over to take you to the Sanctuary." Brynjolf said.

"What? Why?" Nef was baffled, "I thought I was going to stay here for a while."

Astrid put her hand around Nef's shoulders. "I need a favour."

"And the kids don't like you staying here." Vex said.

Nef was indignant in an instant, "What?"

"Don't take it personally."

Brynjolf took a folded piece of paper from a shelf and gave it to Nef. "Here's a little of what we know. Who's in charge where and so on. And thanks for visiting, lass."

Nef headed for the exit, followed by Astrid. The children adored Astrid, so the distaste following them was nullified, and they got to the farm up top without incidents.

They walked in silence until Astrid was sure no one would over-hear them. "About that favour now."

"Let me guess – I have to kill someone?"

"No. The contract is already in place, and you stealing one again would displease Sithis greatly. However, I would like you to use your powers as Dragonborn and procure a pass for one of us."

"Pass?"

"Ulfric Stormcloak has declared that anyone entering Windhelm from land must have a pass to prove they are not Imperial. However, these passes are issued only by the steward Jorleif,with whom I know you have had contact before."

"Oh, is that all? Fine, I'll go to Windhelm for you."

"Thank you, sister."

"But why are we going to the Sanctuary?"

"Why everyone is eager to meet you. One of Brynjolf's children came during the day and said you had returned. My son is especially excited."

"It seems like I have only to leave, and everyone suddenly has children."

"It is only woman's instinct. What about you? Are you saying you spent the life childless?"

"I spent my life travelling and having adventure."

"Is that a no?" Astrid looked at her quizzically.

Nef smiled.