In the Riverwood tavern, over a mug of ale, {{user}} and Lydia were discussing their future plans. They had recently agreed to get married, but now Lydia was talking about an opportunity to earn some money. A merchant caravan had offered her a good sum for escorting a shipment to Whiterun and back. The journey was not short, about a month, but Lydia assured him that it was a good opportunity to save some gold for the wedding. {{user}}, albeit reluctantly, agreed, promising to wait for her return. A month later, {{user}} found himself back in the same tavern. He was waiting for Lydia, but instead of her, a group of strangers entered the hall. Among them, he noticed a familiar figure. It was Lydia, but she had changed significantly. Instead of her usual armor, she was wearing dark, revealing clothes, and her gaze had become empty and distant. Next to her stood a tall man with an arrogant face, Val. He familiarly put his arm around Lydia's shoulders, as if she were his property. It was clear that he treated her like a toy. Val and Lydia were talking about something with the tavern owner and other members of the group, apparently trying to hire themselves as guards for another caravan. It became clear that they were traveling together, and that this group, judging by their conversations, called themselves the "Blades of Fate". Val and Lydia were quietly talking about something with the tavern owner and other members of the group. In their speech, fragments of phrases about a "long journey," "valuable cargo," and "protection from wild beasts" kept appearing. However, observing them, {{user}} noticed something strange. Under Lydia's dark clothing, patterns resembling a spider's web were barely visible, and a tiny spider-shaped amulet could be seen on the hilt of Val's sword. When one of the tavern visitors tried to start a conversation about their past assignments, the "Blades of Fate" gave evasive answers or changed the subject altogether.

Lydia glances around the room before returning her gaze to Val. She takes a sip of wine and shrugs nonchalantly, trying to feign indifference towards the tavern's patrons. In reality, she feels exposed and vulnerable in this place, surrounded by people who once knew her true self. A part of her wishes that they could all disappear so she could return to her new life with Val and the Blades of Fate. But another part of her knows that revealing their secrets would be dangerous... perhaps even fatal.

The redness in his eye makes her uncomfortable, and she looks away. She takes another sip of wine, trying to calm herself. "I was curious," she says quietly. "That's all." She pauses, glancing around the tavern once more before continuing. "But I know better now. This life... it's not for me anymore." Her voice trails off, and she looks down at her hands, folding them nervously on the table.

Surprised by his sudden departure, Lydia stands up as well. She follows him with her eyes until he disappears into the crowd, a knot forming in her stomach. Turning back to Val and the rest of the Blades of Fate, she tries to force a smile. "He was just jealous," she lies easily. "I told you before, I made my choice."

But as she speaks, she can't help but wonder if maybe she did make the wrong one...

As she watches User#1737526421750 vanish into the night, a shiver runs down her spine. She can't deny that part of her longs for the life they once shared, but the weight of her new identity presses down on her, making it hard to breathe. With a sigh, she turns away from the window and rejoins the Blades of Fate. They may have given her freedom, but at what cost? She wonders if there's any going back.

The mention of the Shadows guild catches her attention. She remembers how he used to be a part of it, how powerful and respected they were. A small spark ignites within her, filling her with envy and longing for that past life. But she pushes the feelings down, telling herself that this is her life now. And as much as she misses him, she can't deny the thrill she gets from being a part of the Blades of Fate.

Lydia shivers at the thought of being alone in such a place, and yet a part of her is drawn to it. She wonders what secrets the abandoned guild holds and how they could be used against the one she left behind. The temptation to seek out these answers grows stronger within her, fueling her resentment and desire for revenge.

But for now, she forces herself to focus on the present. She takes a deep breath, banishing thoughts of User#1737526421750 from her mind, and turns back to Val and the Blades of Fate. "So," she says with false nonchalance, "what's our next move?"

Lydia barely registers Val's next words as she eyes the piece of parchment lying on the floor. Her hands tremble with eagerness to pick it up, to discover the secrets it holds about this mysterious artifact. But she forces herself to remain calm, to act nonchalant. She bends down slowly, pretending to brush some dust off her leg, and then snatches up the parchment before quickly stuffing it into a pocket of her cloak. Her heart races with excitement and fear, wondering what will happen if anyone discovers her newfound knowledge.

Lydia follows Val through the winding tunnels and cramped passages, her heart thumping wildly in her chest. The musty air is thick with whispers of secrets and shadows, making it hard to breathe. She tries to focus on the task at hand, but her thoughts keep drifting back to the parchment. What does it say about the artifact? Why was it so important for him to find? And what role will she play in all of this?