The Dawnguard Hunter

Killing the Traitor

Victoria paced vigorously and aggressively back and forth in front of Delvin who tapped his foot out of nervousness. 

She was a volatile mix of pissed off, tired, sad, worried, and sick along with the need of wanting to slap something. Her apprentice was in a similar state as well but instead of pacing she slowly sipped from a bottle of whatever was soothing, mainly beer.

Two days passed since Mercer died by her hands after everything he did was drowned out by the dark sun.

"Two days without seeing a day." Mhara slurred then exhaled. "What a fucking world."

Victoria merely glanced at her drunk apprentice then stopped and looked at Delvin who looked back.

"Where the fuck is your man?" Victoria asked him as she put her hands on the table with shadow covering part of her face but still showed the raging storm her grey eyes mimicked.

"He'll be here." Delvin tried to assure the master thief but barley. "Victoria, eat something." He changed the subject. 

"Can't keep anything down." She answered quickly.

"You are not trying hard enough then." Delvin said almost ordering. "You've been through to much and you have already worried yourself sick. Do you really want to worry yourself to death as well?" He said as he grabbed an apple from his plate and sat it to the seat across from him.

Victoria stopped and looked at the fruit making her stomach rumble with huger and a growing nausea as she then picked up the apple and sat down and took a bite. The food relaxed her a bit and settled her as she took another bite then rested her head on her hand as tears welled up but didn't drop. 

Some time had passed after Victoria finished the apple she leaned back in the chair trying to calm herself when a courier ran into the Flagon and handed Delvin a piece of paper, breathing heavily trying to not collapse from exhaustion. He looked over it then handed it to Victoria who almost snatched it out of his hand and read every word on the paper.

"Delvin, this is the last favor as this nearly got me caught and killed. While only a rumor, Solitude's Castle Dour has been locked down with VERY few witnesses seeing large tents in the courtyard. A few hours later carts filled with bodies pulled in and were unloaded by the order of Commander Mallory. Who might I add, had muttered something about the Dawnguard as the carts were being unloaded."

"How are you going to go about this?" Delvin asked Victoria the moment she looked up from the letter.

"Do what I always do." Victoria responded.

"These aren't normal guards or soldiers, these are Skyrims Special Forces. Trained commandos who know how to look for individuals such as ourselves." Delvin warned.

"In short: Be careful Victoria." She responded with determination in her voice. "I always am, Delvin. But tell me of this Mallory, is she the one-"

"The one that Ulfric Stormacloak traded for two fully walled and armored holds." Delvin cut her off. "That should tell you enough, if not then her other name 'Bloody Barbarian' which she earned in her bloody raids."

"So a vicious berserker then?" Victoria asked as she thought of how to handle the new commander.

Delvin nodded his head. "You already know my stance on you in the guild. Which is why I implore you to be careful." 

Victoria nodded silently thanking Delvin as she set the letter on the table and looked over at Mhara who had sat her head down on the bar.

"Mhara, you ever been to Solitude?" The master asked trying to rouse her apprentice with  no avail.