Heartless

Chapter 13 - Part 18

'By your scent, I would say you're from the guild. But... that can't be right, because I told Mercer I wouldn't deal with them anymore.'

'You sold Goldenglow Estate.' I snapped.

'I'm sorry, I don't deal in land or property.'

'You acted as a broker for the sales, Gajul-Lei.'

'Oh, my apologies. Did you say Goldenglow Estate?'

'Yes, I did. Now tell me what you know!'

Gulum-Ei shrugged.

'I was approached by a woman who wanted me to act as a broker for something big. She flashed a bag of gold in my face and I signed. That's all I know.'

I snorted but let him go. 'I think you're lying.'

The Argonian shrugged and stood, walking casually out of the bar and a little way down the road to the main gates of Solitude. Luckily, I was wearing my more waterproof leathers today, as it was pouring rain. If the slimy little backstabber wouldn't spill then I'd have to corner him. Being smart, Mercer and I had both mapped out the East Empire Company Warehouse weeks before this had happened. I remembered the day clearly.

Flashback, three months before

'Vixen?'

'Yes, Mercer?'

'Can you Help me with this paperwork? Then we can go get a drink at the Flagon.'

'Absolutely.' I smiled, standing next to the desk and slitting letters open for Mercer to read.

An hour passed, then another, and another, until it was well past any rational hour. Two in the morning and both Mercer and I were quite exhausted, but had been looking forward to a cold drink at the bar, so went despite our fatigue. A bottle of Argonian bloodwine shared between us Later and it was three in the morning.

'Y'know, Vixen, I bet your fur is really soft.' Mused a slightly tipsy Mercer.

'Is that so?'

'Yeah. Shouldn't we be getting to sleep now?'

'If you want to. Or we could pick up a job and sleep the day away.' I suggested.

Me being the most Sober of us both, kept Mercer in line as we donned our armour and stepped out into the thundering rain. The first thing we tried went wrong, leading Mercer to pull me by my hand through the twisting alleys of Riften. The guards tried to pursue, but were too slow for us both as we sprinted through the darkness, running in the general direction of the Temple of Mara.

Breathing heavily, we stopped. Both of our hoods had slipped off during the getaway, leaving our hair soaked and plastered to our faces. Out of breath, Mercer and I kind of just stared eachother in the eyes for a bit until I looked away for just one second. When I looked back, the guildmaster was much much closer.

'You're very attractive, Vixen.'

'Am I now?'

'Mmhmm.'

That was the last thing said before Mercer's lips were on mine in the beginning of a happy relationship.

End of Flashback (that was when Mercer and Shadow became a thing. Vixen is his little pet name for her.)

Flashback, two weeks ago

'Vixen?'

'Yes, Love?'

'Do you believe in Mara? You're a Khajiit and all so I thought I would ask.'

'Mara? She's in the Khajiiti Pantheon too, Mercer. Why?' I asked.

'Well... I was wondering...' he paused a little in between his words. 'Shadow, will you marry me?'

I turned away from the table of heist plans I was consulting to face Mercer, who was holding a beautiful ring.

On one side was a beautiful dragon, on the other was an inscription in dragon.

Flashback End. (That was Mercer proposing to Shadow)

Now here I was, picking the lock to that damn building and slipping inside, hot on the tail of a slimy Argonian.