Saadia crouched on the rooftop, watching the street below as Ysolda walked along, completely oblivious. She moved through the dark with a carefree bounce in her step, a basket of clothes swinging at her side. Saadia followed easily, her body moving without effort. She leapt from one roof to another, silent as a shadow, landing with perfect control.
Her body was incredible now. She felt like she could do anything. Every movement was smooth, her strength bottomless, her senses sharper than ever. She could see in the dark as if it were broad daylight, hear every shift in the wind, and move without the slightest hesitation. Tsun had told her this was only the beginning, that she had even greater potential. She believed him.
Ysolda stopped at the stream that ran through the city, kneeling beside the water. She set the basket down and rolled up her sleeves, humming to herself.
Saadia frowned. Why was she doing laundry at this hour?
She stayed perched above, watching as Ysolda dipped a tunic into the water and started scrubbing.
The woman sang as she worked, her voice light and cheerful. It wasn't a real song—just a string of nonsense about warm blankets and fresh bread. She hummed, swaying a little as she worked, as if she wasn't alone in the middle of the night.
Then an arrow shot from the darkness.
It should have killed her instantly.
Instead, Ysolda tripped over her own feet and fell face-first into the stream. The arrow buried itself in the ground where she had been kneeling.
Saadia's eyes snapped to the shadows beyond the city walls.
Four figures moved, creeping forward, their weapons glinting faintly under the torchlight.
Saadia tensed.
Ysolda sat up, dripping wet. She pouted. "Oh, not again. This stream hates me." She wrung out her sleeves, muttering to herself. "I should stop coming here at night. But the laundress always takes my best dresses. And I know she steals the socks. Where do all my socks go?"
Saadia moved.
She leapt from the rooftop, landing in a crouch behind a stack of crates before darting forward, keeping low.
Ysolda hummed as she pulled another dress from the basket, scrubbing it against a rock.
A crossbow bolt shot toward her skull.
It never reached her.
Saadia caught it mid-flight, her fingers closing around it before slipping back into the darkness.
Ysolda frowned. "Why won't this stain come out? Maybe if I scrub harder—"
Another attacker crept closer, raising a knife.
Saadia was behind him in an instant, seizing his wrist before he could throw. She twisted. A sharp crack. He dropped silently to the ground as she vanished again.
Ysolda stretched, yawning. "I should've brought a blanket. It's so cold out here."
Two more throwing knives flew at her.
She bent down to splash water on her face at the exact moment they passed over her head, embedding themselves in the wooden railing behind her.
Saadia stepped forward, pressing a dagger into another man's spine before dragging him into the shadows.
Ysolda kicked her feet in the water. "I don't get why everyone's scared of Whiterun at night. It's so peaceful."
A sword slashed toward her neck.
She sneezed.
The blade cut through empty air as she leaned forward to wipe her nose.
Saadia slammed her fist into the attacker's ribs, caught his dagger, and drove it into his throat.
Ysolda sighed, lifting her wet dress. "Maybe I should just buy new clothes instead of washing these..."
The last assassin hesitated. His men were dead. He hadn't seen who had done it. He gripped his blade, scanning the darkness.
Ysolda smiled, holding up her now-clean dress. "Oh, finally! It's clean!"
Saadia grabbed the final man from behind, her arm wrapping around his throat. He struggled, but it was useless. He fell limp moments later.
Ysolda stood, wringing out her clothes. "Hmph. Now I just have to dry these, and then I can go home."
She picked up her basket and wandered off, humming.
Saadia stepped out of the shadows, watching her go. She then crouched over the nearest corpse, flipping the body onto its back. The assassin's face was twisted in a frozen grimace, his lifeless eyes staring up at the sky. She didn't waste time—her hands went straight to his belt, undoing the pouch strapped to it. Coins clinked softly as she opened it, counting the gold inside before stuffing it into her own pocket.
She moved to the next one, checking his wrists and boots for hidden weapons. A small dagger was tucked into his sleeve—cheap steel, barely worth anything, but she took it anyway. His coin pouch was heavier than the first, and she smiled as she pocketed it.
She rifled through each corpse the same way, working quickly but methodically. A few of them had letters—she tucked those into her belt to read later. Another had a strange amulet around his neck, something with unfamiliar symbols etched into the metal. She yanked it free, letting the leather cord snap, and tucked it away.
After finishing with the last one, she stood up, brushing off her hands. The night was quiet again. The only sound was the faint gurgling of the stream as it flowed through the city.
She glanced toward the direction Ysolda had wandered off, still completely unaware that she had been attacked. Saadia shook her head. How that woman had survived this long was a mystery.
With one last look at the bodies, she turned on her heel and made her way back toward the Bannered Mare.
The streets were mostly empty, save for a few drunkards stumbling home after the night's celebrations. She moved through the shadows, keeping out of sight, slipping between alleyways when needed. The city was safer for her than it had ever been—her body was made for the night now, her senses sharp, her movements silent.
It wasn't long before she reached the tavern. The sound of muffled laughter and the clinking of mugs echoed from inside.
Saadia slipped through the door, stepping into the warmth of the common room. It was quieter than usual, most of the patrons either passed out in their chairs or gone for the night.
She walked past them, heading straight for the stairs.
The innkeeper barely gave her a glance.
Saadia climbed the steps two at a time, making her way to the room she shared with Tsun. Saadia stepped inside the room and immediately dropped to her knees, bowing her head. "My Lord," she said, her voice steady despite the events she had just endured. "I have returned."
Tsun didn't look up from his book at first, his eyes still scanning the pages, fingers lazily turning another. "Report."
She kept her posture low. "The woman, Ysolda, was attacked tonight by multiple assailants. They were well-equipped, carrying throwing knives, crossbows, and short blades. They used them all." She hesitated before continuing, knowing how absurd it sounded. "But she was completely unaware of it. She evaded every attack through sheer accident, tripping, slipping, and moving at just the right moment. I have never seen anything like it."
That caught his attention. Tsun lowered the book onto his lap and finally glanced at her. "She must be blessed by the gods... or cursed by them." He shook his head, bemused.
Saadia lifted her head slightly. "What would you have me do, my Lord?"
Tsun gestured for her to rise before inspecting the items she had gathered. He ran his fingers over the small, worn lockpicks, then the odd piece of clay wrapped in cloth. The contents of the pouches—gold, of course, but also a few trinkets, including a brass ring engraved with symbols he didn't recognize. He clicked his tongue. "Lockpicks, molding clay for key-making... these men weren't simple thugs."
Saadia gasped suddenly, her hands clenching into fists.
Tsun noticed the shift in her demeanor immediately. He turned his gaze to her, arching a brow. "What is it?"
Saadia hesitated. "If they carried such tools, they must be from the Thieves Guild."
"The Thieves Guild?" Tsun repeated. "Explain."
Saadia took a slow breath, her expression tightening. "They have hands in nearly every criminal element in Skyrim. Smuggling, extortion, pickpocketing, burglary, and worse. They are not simply a group of thieves. They are a network, one that has existed for centuries, protected by deep connections with very dangerous people."
Tsun's eyes darkened slightly. "People like who?"
Saadia looked uncomfortable now, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Lord... do not make me say it. It is a bad omen to speak their name."
Tsun exhaled through his nose. "Come now. Surely you're not afraid of such things anymore, not with your new body." His voice was teasing, but there was weight behind it.
Saadia was conflicted. The power she had now was beyond anything she ever dreamed of. But there were some fears that didn't simply go away with strength. Her hesitation stretched for several seconds before her loyalty won out. She took a deep breath and spoke.
"The Dark Brotherhood."
Tsun didn't miss the tremor in her voice when she uttered those words. He watched her carefully. The name carried weight, even with her. That meant something. They must be truly formidable assassins to instill this much fear.
He let the thought settle for a moment before shifting back to the real issue. "Then why is the Thieves Guild after Ysolda?"
Saadia frowned. "I do not know, my Lord. Perhaps she is in debt to them. Or she saw something she shouldn't have."
Tsun hummed, tapping his fingers against the book's cover. "Strange."
Saadia hesitated before speaking again. "My Lord... why are you so interested in her? Surely, she is not important enough to warrant your attention. She possesses no great skill nor strength. She is kindhearted, but that alone does not make her valuable to you."
Tsun stroked his chin, considering her words. Then he gave a small nod. "You are right..."
And just like that, he let go of the subject, dropping the gathered belongings onto the floor and returning to his book as if nothing had happened.
Saadia blinked. She knew better than to question his decisions, but this was odd, even for him. A moment ago, he had been curious. Now, it was as if the topic didn't exist.
Tsun spoke again without looking up. "Sell everything that is not of use. Continue to watch Ysolda."
Saadia bowed her head. "Yes, Lord."
"And," Tsun added, flipping another page, "break into her home. See if there's anything inside that might shed light on her situation."
A small frown touched Saadia's lips. "As you command."
...
The next day Tsun wrapped the cloak around himself, making sure no part of his skin was exposed, adjusting the hood so it hung low over his face. The fabric blocked most of the sun, but he still felt the heat pressing down, his body tensing at the sensation. He moved through the upstairs hallway of the Bannered Mare, stepping past a serving girl cleaning up empty tankards from the night before, her eyes flicking up to him before she quickly looked away. Downstairs, the common room was already alive with noise—patrons eating, talking, arguing.
A bard sat near the fireplace, strumming a lute, playing a tune about some ancient war, but no one seemed to be listening. At one of the corner tables, a man in heavy furs whispered to a nervous-looking merchant, sliding a piece of parchment across the table before standing and walking away. The merchant tucked it into his coat and finished his drink in one gulp before following after him. Near the bar, a pair of warriors argued over a contract, one of them slamming his mug down hard enough to spill mead across the wooden surface. Hulda, wiping down the bar, barely glanced at them before moving to another section.
Tsun ignored it all, walking toward the door and stepping outside into the city. The sun was high, casting long shadows over the streets, the air thick with the scent of sweat, roasting meat, and the filth of the shantytown beyond the gates. A group of farmers stood near a cart loaded with cabbages, arguing with a guard who had his arms crossed and wasn't letting them pass. A woman in a faded dress sat near the entrance, holding a child wrapped in a thin blanket, her hand outstretched as people walked by without stopping. A man near the blacksmith ranted to anyone who would listen, claiming the Jarl was keeping secrets, that he had heard whispers of something beneath the city, something clawing at the stone.
Tsun glanced toward the marketplace, where a heavily armored warrior stood near the well, arms crossed, watching people pass with an intense gaze, a sword strapped to his back. At another stall, a hooded woman spoke in low tones to a trader, her voice urgent, the trader shaking his head and muttering something before turning away.
A courier ran past, nearly knocking into him, muttering a quick apology before heading toward Dragonsreach, a letter in his hand. A few steps ahead, two guards stood near the gate leading out of the city, one of them laughing about something while the other kept his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. A trader cursed loudly as he struggled to pull a cart loaded with supplies through the street, his ox refusing to move, stamping its feet against the stone.
Tsun pulled his hood lower, scanning the area. He had wasted enough time. He needed to find Ysolda. He had read all the books the Jarl had gave him and so finding out more about her was the only thing interesting left to do until his carriage was built. Though he had also considered fooling around with matrices though he would prefer to know a bit more about them before he did.
Tsun moved through the city, taking his time as he walked past the market stalls, the blacksmith hammering away at a heated blade, and a group of guards standing near the entrance to the Cloud District. He scanned the streets, his eyes flicking over merchants hawking goods, traders arguing over prices, a group of beggars sitting against the wall near the outer gate, their hands stretched out toward passing citizens. His ears picked up snippets of conversations—some about the dragon attack, others about missing caravans, someone whispering about people vanishing in the night near the Hall of the Dead.
Then He spotted her. Ysolda was crouched in a small patch of flowers just outside one of the residential districts, humming softly as she collected petals into a pouch tied at her belt. Her dress was skin-tight, molding to her body like a second skin. Her breasts were huge, the biggest he'd seen, nearly spilling out of her dress, the fabric stretched thin over her hard nipples. As she bent forward to pick another flower, her dress rode up, revealing the curve of her full, round ass. The material clung to her, defining the shape of her thick thighs and the cleft of her ass. His eyes followed the line of her body, from her heavy breasts to her wide hips, every movement she made accentuating her voluptuous form. He couldn't help but think about how someone with such an innocent look could navigate a city like this.
He stepped closer, clearing his throat. "You always pick flowers this early?"
Ysolda gasped, almost dropping the pouch. She turned to look up at him, blinking before breaking into a bright smile. "Oh! Hello there!"
Tsun nodded. "Hello again."
She tilted her head. "Again?"
"We met yesterday."
"Did we?" she asked, the same bright smile still on her face.
"Yes."
"How wonderful!" She beamed, tucking the flowers away. "Are you enjoying Whiterun? I think it's the best city in all of Skyrim! Well, I haven't actually been anywhere else, but that's what I hear!"
Tsun grunted. "It's something."
Ysolda clasped her hands together. "You know, I was just on my way to the bakery! Would you like to come with me? They just finished making fresh bread!"
Tsun wasn't in a hurry, and he wanted to talk to her anyway. "Fine."
She clapped her hands together. "Oh, wonderful! Come on then!" She started walking ahead, speaking quickly as she went. "The bakery is just down this way. Have you been there before? They have the best sweet rolls, but I try not to eat too many, I used to eat a lot when I was younger and got a little—well, anyway! Did you hear about the dragon? Oh, but of course you did, Do you think it'll come back? I really hope it doesn't, I don't think Whiterun could take another attack. Did you know I used to want to be a baker when I was a little girl? But then I thought, no, I want to be a trader! Isn't that funny? Oh! We're here!"
Tsun barely got a word in, grunting occasionally as she talked, but he didn't mind. She was harmless, maybe a little too naive, but there was something amusing about her energy. They stepped inside the bakery, the smell of fresh bread thick in the air. A short, heavyset Nord man stood behind the counter, placing loaves into baskets. Ysolda immediately walked up and started picking out several pieces.
Tsun watched as she grabbed more than any one person could possibly eat. "What is all that for?"
Ysolda looked at him with a confused expression. "It's bread... so for eating?" She replied.
Tsun didn't know whether to be insulted or laugh, to think she was looking at him like he was a village idiot. "It's a lot for one person," he simply commented.
She laughed. "Oh, don't be silly! It's not for me, it's for the people outside the walls! They don't have much, and it's the least I can do."
Tsun looked at the bread, then at her, then at the baker, who was already tallying up the cost. Without a word, he reached into his cloak, pulled out a pouch of gold, and dropped it onto the counter. "I'll take the rest of it. And whatever scraps you have."
Ysolda gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "Oh my goodness! You're too kind! This will help so many people!" She grabbed onto his arm, pressing against it as she smiled up at him. "I don't even know how to thank you! You have such a good heart!"
Tsun grunted, not really sure how to respond to that. He had the money, and it wasn't like he was using it.
The baker, eager to make a sale, quickly gathered the rest of the bread and a few leftover scraps that would have otherwise gone to waste. Ysolda clapped her hands in delight as they carried the sacks outside. Together, they walked through the city, past the marketplace, down the main road toward the gates leading to the shantytown. As they stepped through, the smell of unwashed bodies and burning trash hit them immediately. People sat huddled near fires, wrapped in thin blankets, children picking through scraps. Guards watched from their posts but did nothing.
Tsun followed Ysolda further into the shantytown, walking a step behind her as she handed out bread and greeted people by name, her voice full of warmth. "Good morning! I brought food for everyone!" She moved through the crowded, dirty streets like she belonged there, smiling at faces that barely acknowledged her, handing food to people who snatched it out of her hands without so much as a thank you.
A woman with tangled hair and hollow cheeks took a piece and muttered that it was too small. A man with a long beard and rotting teeth took two without asking. A group of children grabbed at her basket, pulling bread from it before she even had a chance to hand it to them properly. A crippled man on a filthy blanket scowled and muttered something about how it wasn't warm enough.
Tsun watched as she took it all in stride. She kept smiling, kept handing out food, pretending not to notice when people insulted her, when they cursed under their breath, when they rolled their eyes as if the act of feeding them was some inconvenience.
"Here you go, Nils, make sure you share with the others," she said, placing a roll into a man's shaking hands.
"About damn time," he grumbled, biting into it immediately.
She didn't react, just moved on to the next person. "Oh! Mila, I almost didn't recognize you! You look like you're getting taller!"
The little girl, covered in soot and dressed in rags, took the bread and ran off without a word.
Ysolda just kept going, making sure everyone got something, remembering their names, acting as if they had thanked her even when they barely looked at her.
Tsun stood back, arms crossed, watching. It made no sense. They didn't deserve this. Not with how they acted. She was doing something for them that no one else in the damn city would, and they treated her like this?
By the time the basket was empty, the crowd was already starting to disperse. No one lingered to talk to her, no one said thank you, no one did anything but walk off with their food as if they were entitled to it. Ysolda wiped her hands on her dress, turned, and smiled up at him. "All done!"
Tsun gave her a long look, then started walking back toward the city. She caught up quickly, stepping in stride beside him, still smiling like she hadn't just been treated like garbage by the people she was helping.
"Are they always like that?" he asked.
Ysolda tilted her head. "Like what?"
"Ungrateful."
She waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, they don't mean it like that. They're just having a hard time, that's all. When people are struggling, sometimes they forget their manners."
Tsun snorted. "No. When people are struggling, they remember who helps them."
She shook her head. "It's fine. They took the food, and now they won't go hungry today. That's what matters."
He studied her, trying to figure out if she was just pretending to be stupid or if she really believed that nonsense. "You're the only one helping them, and they act like you owe them something."
She shrugged, still smiling. "At the end of the day, they get to live one more day. That's what's important."
Tsun kept staring at her. She wasn't even mad about it. Most people would have cursed them, called them beggars, walked away and never looked back. But not her. She just kept going. He didn't get it.
She turned to him, beaming. "And who knows? Maybe tomorrow they'll be my friend."
Tsun shook his head. "You're an idiot."
She laughed. "I know!"
Tsun let out a small chuckle, shaking his head as he walked beside Ysolda. She was something else. Oblivious, naive, but strangely endearing in her own ridiculous way. As they passed through the gates of Whiterun, he glanced at her. "You hungry?"
She perked up immediately. "Oh! Are you courting me?" She gasped, eyes wide. "I've never been courted before! But—just so you know—I am not some scarlet woman, so you best get your mind out of the gutter, sir!"
Tsun sighed. "We're getting lunch, not a wedding."
She hummed, smiling up at him. "Alright, but I'm still counting this as my first date."
Tsun ignored that and kept walking. They stopped at a stall where an older woman was selling fresh meat skewers and simple stews. Tsun tossed a few coins down, got two of the biggest skewers, and handed one to Ysolda. She eagerly took it, practically bouncing as she bit into it. He watched her for a moment, shaking his head at how easily entertained she was.
They walked away from the crowded market, heading toward a quieter spot near the city wall, sitting down on a low stone ledge where they could eat without people bothering them. Ysolda started talking, rambling about everything and nothing—how she liked sweet things more than salty things, how she thought Argonian tails were cute, how she once tried to ride a cow because she wanted to know what it felt like.
Tsun ate his skewer, letting her talk, only half-listening until he finally interrupted. "The Khajiit from yesterday."
Ysolda blinked, her smile fading slightly. "Huh?"
"The one that grabbed you," Tsun said, watching her reaction. "Who is he?"
Her whole demeanor changed. She looked away, poking at her food. "It's nothing."
Tsun didn't buy that. "Doesn't look like nothing."
She shook her head quickly. "Really, it's fine. You don't have to worry about it."
"I want to help," Tsun said, firm.
Ysolda smiled at him, but it didn't reach her eyes. "That's really sweet, but I promise, I can handle it."
Tsun just stared at her. She fidgeted, clearly uncomfortable, but he didn't relent. He just waited.
Finally, she sighed, shoulders slumping. "Alright, alright. I'll tell you."
She took a deep breath, as if gathering herself, then started. "When I was little, my dad was a great merchant. One of the best! He could sell anything. Once, he sold regular sugar to a Khajiit moon warrior! And there was this one time he convinced a Jarl to buy a 'magical' goat that could predict the weather—it was just a goat, but my dad told him if the goat hid in the barn, it meant a storm was coming. And wouldn't you know it, the very next day, there was a storm! The Jarl was so impressed he paid double for it." She laughed, shaking her head. "He was amazing."
Tsun raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like a conman."
She pouted. "No! He was a businessman! A very smart one!"
Tsun grunted, letting her continue.
"He built a huge merchant empire. He wanted a son to pass it down to, but my mother had me instead. And it wasn't an easy birth, so after that, she couldn't have any more children. My father loved her too much to look elsewhere, so... they were stuck with me." She frowned, staring down at her half-eaten skewer. "I wanted to make him proud. I studied all I could, learned everything about trading and bartering, dreamed of becoming a merchant just like him. But he died, and... I messed everything up. I lost the company to a bigger one."
She forced a smile, but it was strained. "So, I figured maybe I should start from the bottom. Build something from scratch, you know? But my first caravan got taken by bandits, and my second was seized by the Thalmor."
Tsun thought she really did have rotten luck.
"After that, I didn't have much coin left. So, I took out a loan. But by then, everyone knew how bad of a merchant I was, so no one wanted to lend to me." She scratched the back of her head. "Except for Ma'ravir."
Tsun narrowed his eyes. "The Khajiit?"
She nodded. "Yeah. He's a little pushy, but he did lend me the coin, and I promised to pay back every septim."
Tsun didn't say anything, just kept watching her.
She smiled brightly, as if trying to convince both of them that it was fine. "So, you don't have to worry about me! I can handle it." She stuck her tongue out, winking.
Ysolda stretched her arms, letting out a content sigh as she turned to Tsun. "I had a really nice time," she said, smiling. "But I should probably get back home. Still got chores to do." She tilted her head, her expression turning oddly wistful. "Can't let the house get too dusty. If I leave it too long, it'll start feeling empty, and... I don't like that."
Tsun just watched her for a moment before reaching out and patting her head. She blinked in surprise, then let out a soft laugh. "You're nice, Tsun."
He just grunted, pulling his hand away. "Go on, then."
Ysolda gave him one last smile before heading off. He stood there, watching her disappear into the crowd, before turning on his heel and making his way back to the Bannered Mare.
He saw Sofia immediately. She was standing on a crate in the middle of the street, striking some ridiculous pose like she was waiting for the world to admire her. He walked right past her.
"Hey!" Sofia huffed, jumping off the crate and stomping after him. "You saw me!"
Tsun ignored her.
"I know you saw me," she whined. "What's the big idea, huh? Walking around all smug after your date with that milk-dripping cow?"
Tsun exhaled through his nose. "She's nice."
"I'M NICE," Sofia shot back.
"No, you're not."
She gasped dramatically. "How dare you! I am the nicest person you will ever meet. I am practically overflowing with kindness."
Tsun didn't dignify that with a response. He just kept walking.
Sofia pouted, then smirked as she skipped ahead, turning around to block his path. "Well, you know what? I know about the Thieves Guild."
That made Tsun stop. He stared at her, his expression blank. "How do you know about that?"
"I heard you and that other woman talking about it last night," Sofia said with a smug grin.
Tsun narrowed his eyes. She was spying on him? He hadn't even noticed. How the hell did she slip past his senses?
"Don't eavesdrop on me," he said, shoving her aside and continuing forward.
Sofia latched onto his arm like some kind of gremlin, forcing him to stop again. "Oh, come on! You're really bad at playing hard to get, you know." She leaned in. "I know where they are."
Tsun sighed. "Where?"
Sofia waggled her finger. "Uh uh uh. You have to promise to take me with you when you leave."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes!"
"No."
Sofia groaned like an annoyed child. "Ugh! Why?"
"You're annoying."
"Pfft! I bet it's cause my boobs aren't as big," she huffed, grabbing her own chest. "Bet you'd gladly take the cow over there."
"Yes."
"HMPH!" Sofia crossed her arms, glaring at him. "Fine. Good luck finding them on your own. They're really good at staying hidden."
Tsun stood there, considering it. She was irritating, crude, and exhausting. But she was also a useful source of information.
After a long moment, he sighed. "Fine."
"HAH!" Sofia grinned, grabbing his arm. "Knew you'd see things my way! Come on, let's drink!" She dragged him toward the Bannered Mare, laughing all the way.
___________________________
(AN: This chapter is mostly just a bit more character development for some of the girls before they head off to winterhold. Then it's magic and getting OP and perhaps becoming the ultimate life form. And sex of course. Anyway hope you enjoyed the chapter.)
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