The day was spent doing chores. Lena went to talk to the collector of Ayleid artefacts who was refusing to sell one of her items to Mr. Umbacano. She claimed that Umbacano was evil – seeking to waken up some dark power of the Ayleids, and her artefact was the key. She suggested that Lena should retrieve another similar artefact from a ruin that – oh look! – she happened to have a key to.

“Give him the substitute and he’ll never know!” – she said, beaming.

Lena was doubtful that Umbacano wouldn’t know, but decided to retrieve that other artefact first. But not alone, and not today, this would have to wait.

After that, Lena made a dash for Chorrol – her monthly payment for the supplies to the Battlehorn Castle was a week overdue. Emfrid didn’t mind, but Lena made a mental note that it was getting tiresome. Perhaps she should switch to a quarterly schedule.

Then she was on the road again – to Cheydinhal. As the Imperial City came into view, Roach wanted a rest, so they stopped at Alleswell. The publican still had no food or drink to offer and his Most Unpleasant Sisters told Lena to go away. So she turned around, patted Roach on the back and promised her a nice long rest at the Roxey Inn instead. “And you can chat to your pal the Legion horse there as well” – she added.

…

Lena got to Cheydinhal by 10 p.m. She left Roach at the stables and walked home. As she was crossing the bridge by the chapel, she saw the Eastern gate. Beyond it was Fort Farragut – and Lucien.

…

Lena stood by the trapdoor, ready to enter, when a little voice in her head said quietly: “Perhaps you should knock.” Wasn’t that what people usually did before entering someone else’s house? She knocked, then lifted the trapdoor slightly, looking in. Lucien stood below, smiling. “Come in.”

9 Mid-Year

In the morning Lena went to see Ocheeva at the Sanctuary about another contract.

“What is he like?” – Antoinetta Marie pulled Lena into a dark corner as soon as she entered.

“What is who like?” – Lena looked at her, confused.

“Lucien. What is he like?” – Antoinetta’s eyes burned with the hunger for gossip.

“He is an assassin” – Lena frowned, doubtful. “And our Speaker. You know that!”

“I don’t mean that!” – she shook her head. “What is he like… a man – you know!” – she winked.

“What?!” – Lena went bright red. “How did you..?”

“Oh come off it – it’s the talk of the Sanctuary! Someone saw you!”

“What?! Who? How?” – Lena was so taken aback, she wasn’t making sense, not even to herself. They were careful – how could anyone have seen them?

“Oh, don’t worry, I don’t mean it badly” – Antoinetta touched Lena’s arm. “It wasn’t me, I don’t even know how the rumours started, and anyway, it’s not unheard of – Gogron and Telaendril have been at it for ages. I was that close but you got there first!”

Lena stood there, gasping.

“What? I… What do you mean – you were that close?” – Lena’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“Antoinetta dear, I believe you owe me a septim!” – Telaendril was standing over her shoulder.

“Oh all right, she just got lucky!” – Antoinetta grimaced, passing the coin to Telaendril.

“Gossiping again, are you?” – Ocheeva joined them, looking at each of them in turn. “Shame on you, Telaendril, Antoinetta, for making bets like that! As if either of you ever stood a chance!”

“Can someone please explain to me what is going on?!” – Lena exploded cutting through the conversation. “What’s all this betting about?” – she glared at Antoinetta and Telaendril.

“Well, since you put it this way…” – Telaendril grinned. “Antoinetta has a crush on Lucien, and she’s been trying to get into his bed for… well… since before you joined the first time” – she winked. “Without success, or else everyone would have known.”

“Like you never tried it yourself!” – Antoinetta looked angrily at Telaendril. “You forgot to mention that bit, I guess.”

“Anyway…” – Telaendril raised her voice slightly. “As you were a vampire when you joined, we didn’t think you stood a chance, but then you returned, looking all young and fresh, and Antoinetta here bet me a septim that she’d have Lucien first before you do! And she lost.”

“That’s enough of that now!” – Ocheeva said sternly. “You’ve had your fun, now leave it be.”

“No, wait” – Lena rubbed her chin. “You said someone saw us. But we… well… we have been discrete. They had to spy on us to see us. This could be a serious matter.”

“Then…” – Ocheeva looked pensive. “You have to tell us where they could have seen you.”

“In Cyrodiil? Lucien’s fort” – Lena offered. “In Skyrim… no, they couldn’t have, I am certain.”

“You have to tell Lucien – if his fort is compromised, it is indeed a serious matter” – Ocheeva wasn’t smiling. Everyone went quiet – they still remembered the last traitor. “Antoinetta, Telaendril, I need the two of you to find out how the rumour started – and when. Especially since it isn’t just a rumour. When did you…” – she sighed and smiled at Lena. “Sorry, dear, it’s private, I know, but it could be important – when was the first time that they could have seen you?”

“When we returned from Skyrim” – Lena answered, looking at them in turn.

“So… It is either an incredible coincidence, or…” – Telaendril looked at Antoinetta – “there is another woman wanting to get into Lucien’s bed.”

“Count half of Cyrodiil, I think” – Antoinetta winked. “It is only this hard if you are with the Dark Brotherhood!”

“So… she’s one of us” – Ocheeva said heavily. “She is an assassin.”

They didn’t like the sound of this. Antoinetta wasn’t jealous of Lena, well, not jealous enough to do anything about it besides teasing, but who knew what that other woman was like.

“Night Mother preserve us from a woman’s scorn” – Telaendril breathed.

…

Rayenna’s plan was working. First, she was going to destroy Lena’s reputation, then she would suggest ill intent. Judgement would be swift – Lena would be declared a traitor to the Brotherhood, and that would not only get her killed, but also get her out of Lucien’s favour, bringing Rayenna to the fore. It could not fail.