Note to the reader~
Thank you for starting to read my newest fanfiction. I recently picked up Skyrim again and as always, my favorite quest line has been the Thieves Guild. If you have not completed that story line, or haven't played Skyrim - you WILL be able to enjoy this story. I have added descriptions and information for an inclusive reading experience. I have also enhanced some plot points on what I feel will add to the story, in addition to my own theories.
Severance of the Shadow takes place 25 years before the events of TESV: Skyrim.
The flames reached high into the night sky outside Riften. Sparks from the cracking timber floated upward with hazy smoke, until they faded in the cool air. The autumnal forest nearly surrounded them except for the lake. It was a black mirror, its depths barely reflecting the stars in the moonless sky. The lapping of the waves hardly audible. He returned his eyes to the glow in front of him. Around the pyre the members stood honoring her memory. Dralsi, the well-respected Dunmer thief and member of the Thieves Guild. She wasn't outgoing or social, but would lend a helping hand to teach those the way of thievery from her experience. Dralsi was one of the best thieves Gallus knew. And she died protecting what she swore to protect. It became difficult to swallow thinking of her loss. He took a deep breath, the smoky air filling his lungs.
Next to him Mercer Frey stood stoically. Gallus studied the Breton thief. He was of same height and frame of Gallus, but the similarities ended there. Mercer had dirty blonde hair that hung to his shoulders, and his gaunt face emphasized his cheekbones and strong jaw. Mercer's pale brown eyes stared into the fire, then, sensing Gallus's gaze broke to return the stare. Their eyes met for a moment and younger thief clenched his jaw and swallowed before turning away. They would have to discuss business soon. Not tonight though. As Guild leader, the mantle thrust upon him just six months before, Gallus felt that he had an obligation to take care of those below him. A promise formed in his mind that he'd protect them. And protect her.
Across the pyre, the orange hue barely lit her dusky face. The daughter of Dralsi. Karliah. Silent tears trickled down her cheeks as she stood alone, watching the flames. Other members turned to leave alone or in groups. Their hushed voices carried few words within earshot, but their tone was somber. Not many lasted long in this line of business. If you lived a long life as a thief, it was remarkable. Imprisonment, branding, and even death were punishments they could face. Any day could be your last. Everyone knew of the dangers and risks. It was a choice every time they picked a pocket or unlocked a safe.
Gallus's mind led him to his past. When he wasn't much younger than Karliah. His own obtuse father sent him away to a prestigious college in Cyrodil after being rebellious in his childhood. Maybe after being with young adults his own age he'd study like them. And then be a lecturer, or make an impressive discovery, or write the histories of the world. As much as Gallus enjoyed learning and reading, it held no thrill for him. He left the college a few years later and wandered, thieving along the way to survive. He ended up in Skyrim where he made the fateful choice of attempting to pickpocket that old man Eryk. The old Nord's gnarled hand grabbed lightning-quick and held with a crushing strength. His eyes burrowed into Gallus's and he spat out his chew before speaking. "I have forty years of skill on you, young whelp but I can see your potential... if you're interested." That was nearly ten years ago.
The flames were dying when the last member left the pyre, leaving Gallus and Karliah alone. The weakened fire reflected dully from Karliah's ruby eyes as he moved towards her. She was young to see her mother die this way, barely twenty-two summers if he remembered correctly. He placed himself a few feet away, and remained silent. But his thoughts were a tempest in his mind. What should he say? He felt awkward, he wanted to help her… but wasn't sure what was acceptable. Dralsi was her own flesh and blood after all. Karliah herself requested that she be cremated - different than the Nordic burial rites with the priests of Arkay. The Dunmer did not believe in the Nord notion of life after death and Sovngarde.
The silence seemed to intensify, Gallus raked his mind whether he should say something comforting to the young woman or just offer to help bury the remains. He debated between the two and frustration at himself grew within him. Thankfully Karliah spoke, her eyes still staring at the glowing ashes. "Gallus, I can bury her." The words came out raspy.
"I wanted to offer to help you. And that if you need some time off... just say the word." He murmured.
Her eyes never broke from the embers. "No, I can do it. And I think I'll need some time..." He nodded and turned to walk back to Riften. His feet stepped lightly through the dead leaves when she spoke again. "I just don't know how she was killed by bandits on the road. She always said if outnumbered, to run and live another day as a thief. What was she fighting so hard for?" Her voice cracked.
Gallus stopped, his body tensing at the question. He thanked the moonless night that obscured his frame. It was a topic he could not, and would not cover with her at this time. Or possibly ever. He carefully chose his words and kept his tone empathetic. "When Mercer and I found her, she had killed four of her foes, and another was left hobbling away with a slashed tendon. He would have bled out had we not ended his misery sooner." He paused. "If they surprised her, it may be possible that she didn't have a way to escape."
"Did she get what you tasked her to look for? She left so suddenly and mentioned that she forgot to do a heist you assigned earlier. She said she'd be back soon and forbade me to come with her." Karliah's soft spoken pleading tore at him. Her heart searched for answers. That her mother had not died in vain. Gallus had given Karliah the same information as the rest of the Guild, that her mother had perished after the heist on the road. Truthfully, if had he only been closer to the Twilight Sepulcher to face the threat himself, or had been able to save Dralsi... none of this would have happened. The memory of when he found Dralsi floated in his mind.
The bodies were sprawled in the small clearing but his eyes darted to her. Even from far away he could tell her large eyes were already glazed over, staring at the darkening heavens. The sun was setting behind the trees of the golden yellow and orange forest, and its shadows spanned across the corpses. Mercer surveyed the area and snarled. He turned to follow a blood trail to the unlucky soul. Gallus started to walk towards Dralsi's body when he heard the familiar rasping of steel being unsheathed, and Mercer's faint steps leading away. A stray thought crossed his mind ... maybe Mercer should be in the Dark Brotherhood instead. It wasn't the first time Gallus thought that. Only Mercer's desire for wealth superseded his bloodlust. But Mercer was a younger man, and young men were said to be hot blooded. That kind of desire escaped Gallus. He lived for the thrill of thievery and for knowledge. Gallus returned his attention to the fallen Nightingale. He knelt next to her, his leather garb creaking as he bent knee. Dralsi's lifeblood from the stab wound under the left rib slowly trickled and stained the dry earth. "Live forever in Twilight." The words barely escaped his lips as his gloved hand closed her eyes. Behind him the forest rustled and Mercer emerged, dragging the last bandit corpse.
"She completed her task, I had only sent her to ransack some merchant homes near Falkreath." The lie came smoothly off the tongue but the words tasted bitter. Gallus pushed down his desire to tell the truth. "I'm sorry Karliah. She was one of the best." He took a step, then continued onward leading him back to Riften. Gallus hated himself every step of the way.
Gallus felt the Pull and sighed as he stretched in his bed. The stone walls and ceiling made the room appear more like a cell, except for the furniture and numerous books lying around. A wooden desk stood alone next to a tall bookcase filled with worn leather-bound books and old tomes. The desk itself had pieces of parchment and notes strewn about with a few quills and an oil well. A lamp flickered feebly on the desk. He would need to replenish the oil soon he thought idly. It was much later than he usually got up, but he was up late pacing in his room. His thoughts wouldn't give him any peace the night before with Dralsi's death and the growing feeling of the Pull. He knew what it was for, it was quite unlike the feeling when the Seplucher was being attacked a few days prior. She was calling to him. He sighed, and arose lighting an oil lamp next to the washbasin. Filling his mouth with salt and water he swished the liquid through his teeth and looked into the old mirror. It was cracked in one corner and some of the edges were darkening from years past. How many guild leaders looked at themselves through this mirror? Gallus ran his fingers through his dark auburn hair. It was thick and unruly, curling near the ends. After a moment, he pulled it back into a low ponytail and piercing blue eyes stared back at him. Some wisps of hair escaped and framed his face. He felt his cheeks and examined his chin, the stubble was visible and it pricked his fingers. Maybe he should grow a light beard like many Nords favored. Could be warmer with the winter approaching. He was throwing on a tunic when he heard a knock at the door. He noisily spat the salt water and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand before speaking. "Come in."
The door creaked slightly and Mercer stepped inside. The young Breton thief looked behind him and closed the door. His pale eyes studied Gallus. "You feel it, don't you?"
"Our Lady is not in danger. It's a reminder to us to find and present the Third for the Oaths. It felt this way when your predecessor Eryk passed." Gallus tugged on his vest, the dark leather fitting snugly over his body. Eryk was an oddity for a thief just as Dralsi was; an old man who made hard bargains and helped the guild prosper with his tactics as Guild Leader. Gallus looked up to the man, but the old Nord lacked socially and had cut ties with more than one associate. Gallus was able to bring those bring those contacts back to the guild as the effects were beneficial for both parties. Even though they were thieves, this was a business. Pandering and negotiating were needed to help all parties involved. Eryk didn't care to bite his tongue during his long life. Although it wasn't the thing that ended him. Where Dralsi met her fate tragically, Eryk couldn't resist fine Argonian leaf tobacco that caused his health to suffer. The smoky fumes hung on to him like an invisible cloud; and he smoked or even chewed the stewed leaves. In the end, he passed away in this very room. Nearly every breath brought a coughing fit, where he wheezed and gasped for air. The old Nord admitted it was his time. He whispered fervently to Nocturnal to let him join her in the Evergloam. Dralsi gave him double distilled skooma, and his heart slowed and stopped shortly after in his sleep.
"I think we should look at other members in the guild before making a decision." Mercer's tone was slightly accusing, but then again it always was.
"You act like I've already made my mind up." Gallus took a seat and continued to dress himself, lacing up his boots.
"Do we really need a Third? Also, I know who you are thinking, I sensed it on our way back to Riften... You were unusually quiet." He leaned against the wall, studying Gallus.
"Yes, there has always been three. And I do think we should consider Karliah a candidate. She is skilled and smart." Gallus took a breath and quietly murmured "Dralsi would have wanted it. I will respect your thoughts though, and we can look at a few others. Who did you have in mind?"
Mercer clenched his jaw and muttered "She's not going to be suitable anytime soon with her mourning. Never came back here last night. Delvin would be better. Maul and Dirge are strong but not of the quickest wit."
"I gave Karliah permission to take some time off, and I suspect she'll return. This is the only family she has now. Also, in regards to your thoughts… Delvin is a womanizer and currently has a hard time focusing if there is a pretty girl nearby. I don't doubt his skill but it's bound to get him in trouble one of these days." Gallus stood and sheathed his twin blades on his hips. The weight of them felt reassuring even though he rarely used them in the last half year. "Many of the others are too young or lack the certain dedication I'm looking for. They'll come visit the Guild for the odd job or two then come back months later when the gold is gone." He paced to the door and stopped in front of Mercer. "You're Guild Second, you can tell Delvin to control himself better with his womanizing. We have a few weeks to see if there is improvement."