The job Astanna did at the Honningbrew Meadery had been executed to perfection, Brynjolf had received words about what happened before she even got back. Poor Sabjorn had been thrown in jail and Maven was in heaven. When Astanna got back, everyone had a good word for her, except Mercer. The second-in-command was annoyed by his attitude, never before he had been so hard on one of their own. At least, this time he couldn't complain, he just ignored her. Astanna didn't seem to mind much though, after all she did say she didn't like him from the get go and visibly it hadn't changed.

Brynjolf walked into the Flagon, looking for her. Apparently, Mercer wanted to talk to her about that logo she found on both of the correspondence from her last jobs. He knew he would send her to solitude, to talk to Gulum-Ei, and he was a little disappointed they wouldn't have time to go on that heist he had planned for them. He spotted her playing dices with Rune and Thrynn and from what he could hear; she was winning. She was particularly loud, jumping around while Thrynn was sulking and Rune laughing at both of them.

"Sorry to interrupt..." he said, putting a hand on the former bandit's shoulder.
"You're not interrupting. I won every last Septims they had on them, so…" Astanna answered, stopping her bouncing to grin at him.
"Hey boss, I'd pay your way in, but she did clean us out." Rune said, a remain of laughter in his voice.
"That's too bad. Anyway, I just came to tell our winner that Mercer want to see her."
"Buzz killer." Thrynn said grumpily, getting up.

Astanna was now silent, looking at Brynjolf, frowning a little. Seeing her frown, Rune take it as his cue to leave the two Nords alone.

"What is it, lass?"
"Why does he want to see me? Everything went well on my last mission. No need for him to yell at me this time." she said acidly.
"He didn't say, but if I have to guess, he wants to send you on a mission. A lead about the symbol you found, no doubt."
"Why aren't you the one giving me my mission, like usual?" she asked, stubborn.
"Astanna. The Guild Master requested to see you, just go see him." he firmly said.

Her frown deepened, her golden eyes losing their usual warmth. After a while, fixing him, she casted her eyes down.

"Will do." she murmured, passing him and heading to the Citern.
"Astanna." he called out.

She stopped but didn't look back, stubbornly fixing in front of her.

"I've planned a heist for us. We could go after that mission... if you still want it."

She gave him a look from over her shoulder, for a second she didn't react at all. But she finally gave him a little smile and a nod, eyes glittering. When she left, Brynjolf sat with Delvin, feeling relieved that her mad mood had seemed to fade a little. The older man poured him some mead.

"It's a firebrand, that one." Delvin said with a grin.
"Aye, you're not the first to say that." Brynjolf answered, chuckling.
"But you like them like that, don't you?" he asked, knowingly.
"Aye... I- What?" he shuttered.

Brynjolf choked on his drink while the senior thief looked at him with a knowing smile playing on his lips. Sometimes, he wondered if Delvin knew him better than himself. He was always able to figure out what he was thinking, it was useful when they worked together, he didn't have to explain every detail of their plans. But when it come to personal stuff, that was something else. He wondered when it was the last time he ad a secret that he had kept for himself without Delvin knowing...

Brynjolf was giving Cynric his mission when he saw Astanna entering the Citern by the back door, looking completely drained. He was about the head over, when he saw her heading directly for the Guild Master's desk. He looked at them from afar, he could see Mercer get angrier by the second. Astanna must have bad news...

After her talk with their leader, she walked to her bed, letting herself fall with a soft grunt. She struggled to take off her boots using only her feet, face onto the mattress, which was a little funny and so like her. When she finally managed to get them off she kicked them under the bed, rolling over to look at the ceiling. She really seemed exhausted, but his curiosity winning over logic; he walked over.

"Hey lass." he called out by the bed's end.

At the sound of his voice, she let out a sigh and looked at him with a small smile.

"Brynjolf." she simply said.
"Hard one?"
"Yeah, apparently our friend Gulum-Ei like to hang out with thick heads who attack on sight without even bothering listening about anything you have to say." she tiredly explained.
"That means you had to tail him?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah. Never saw an Argonian that stubborn. Anyway, I managed to have the information in the end." she said, letting a yawn out.
"And is our friend still with us?"
"You told me he was valuable to us alive, so yes, he is." she assured him.
"That's great."

She hummed at him, closed her eyes and yawned, stretching her back. He looked away, feeling like he saw something he shouldn't.

"I should let you sleep. You look drained." he said, still looking away.
"Yeah. Let's just say it was a long ride back home."
"Well, good night, lass"

He starts walking await, when she suddenly called out at him.

"Brynjolf! I forgot to tell you; I can't go to that heist with you. Apparently, I'm leaving tomorrow with Mercer." she called out.
"What?"
"Yeah, he said we had to catch Karliah before she could disappear again..."
"Karliah?!" he exclaimed, not believing his ears.
"Ah, yeah. She was the one behind both Honningbrew and Goldenglow." she explained.
"Are you sure it was that name?"
"Yeah, Gulum-Ei told me she killed our former master, Gallus..."
"I- I have to go talk to Mercer." he firmly stated.
"Oh. Right. Well, see ya." she murmured in return.

Brynjolf's mind was on panic mode. Karliah was bad news; he should be going with Mercer. Their leader was a skilled thief and an excellent swordsman, but knowing the Dark Elf, she would have plan something to get the upper hand or else she wouldn't set her plan in motion in the first place. He swiftly walked over Mercer's desk.

"Mercer!" he called out.
"What is it, Brynjolf?" he asked, annoyed.
"It's really Karliah?"
"It appears so."
"Bring me with you." Brynjolf requested.
"I'm already bringing your protege."
"I should be the one to go. You'll need my help."
"No. I can manage with Astanna." Mercer firmly decline.
"Mercer, Karliah is deadly. You should bring someone with more experience. You know she'll be waiting for you, right?" he asked, pushing.
"Yeah, I know. That's why I'm not going alone."
"Mercer! Why don't you bring me instead?" he asked again.
"Our newest member can manage watching my back. It's a simple task."
"Why are you insisting on bringing Astanna?!" he exclaimed, losing his cool.
"Brynjolf-"
"Don't bring her there. It's too dangerous!" he yelled.

The words slipped out before he could refrain himself. Mercer looked at him with dark eyes. Brynjolf knew better than contradict his decisions; he didn't really understand why he overstep his bound like this.

"I already made op my mind. I will be leaving with her tomorrow morning and during my absence you will be watching over the guild. Am I clear?" he ordered his second-in-command.
"Aye."
"Fine, you can go back to work now." he said, sending him away with a simple motion from his hand.

Brynjolf left the Citern, passing in front of Astanna. She was looking at him, eyes wide, but she didn't say anything and he didn't stop. Once in the Flagon, he roughly dropped his weight in the closest chair, grabbing his head with both hands.

"Dammit! What just happen? It's the first time I actually yelled at Mercer. We had our share of disagreement, but it's the first time I lose it like that? And over what, the lass? Dammit."

Brynjolf realized he cared more for her than he thought. Over the few mouths she spent at the guild, he grew more and more interested in her and not just about her skills and what she could bring to them, but about her person. He loved her lively personality and he would be lying if he said she wasn't attractive. He loved the way her eyes were glittering when she was excited about something; the way she could smile; so carefree; the way she could walk like she owned the place when she was proud of a job she did; the way she would retort at him when she wasn't pleased by a mission; the way her hips were moving, swaying from side to side, while walking around the Citern. Even the way the her back muscles would contract when she was training with her bow; the way she would always come sit close to him when they were relaxing at the Flagon and most of all the way she had kissed him good night at the border of his lips.

He remembered that night as if it happened the day before; they were drinking for celebrating a big job Vex and Vipir had just finished. They were at it until morning, all of them pretty drunk. Astanna was sitting next to him, so close he could smell her scent, a sweet mix of wild flowers, smoke and sweat. He assumed she had worked at the forge that day, like she usually does when she came back at Riften. Her natural smell was intoxicating, before long he couldn't properly focus on what Vex was talking about. After a while he entirely gave up on trying on following, he focused on her proximity and how he could feel her warmth and how their arms would occasionally rub each other. At some point, he felt her head on his shoulder, and when he looked at her, she was clearly falling asleep due to the large amount of mead she had gulped down. He tried calling her out, but her only reaction was to bury her face into the crook of his neck, muttering incomprehensible words.

He remembered the few laughters the others had at the sight. He finished his drink before getting up, helping Astanna to do the same. Walking was difficult, with her not putting any effort into it. In an attempt to stabilize her, he grabbed her by the waist and pulling one of her arm around his shoulder. It worked well for a time, they were about to step into the Citern when she tripped on something. As a result, they both fell her, half on top of him. The shock brought her back a little, and she was now laughing her lungs out at their position. He tried to sit up, but she hadn't moved, so their faces were now really close. When she realized how close he now was, her laughter died out, and her eyes got wider, fixing her gaze on his mouth. He was doing the same, and if he hadn't heard Vex loud voice from the other room, bringing him back to reality, he would have kissed her. Instead, he grabbed her by the shoulders pushing her a little, waiting for her to get up, which she did with difficulty. They crossed the distance between the door and her bed, not saying a word. When they finally got there, they looked into each other's eyes, still silent. He shook his head after a while, trying to think straight.

"Well, I should go back to it. Good night, lass." he firmly said, more trying to convince himself it was the right thing to do than anything else.
- Thanks, Brynjolf, for helping me get back here." she murmured as if she didn't have the force to speak louder.

He nodded at her, a little smile on his full lips. He had to go, now. If he didn't, he knew he would kiss her, and he wasn't sure he wanted to cross that line. Not that he didn't want to, but not in their current state, not while Astanna was so drunk she couldn't walk straight, it wouldn't be right. But he didn't have time to go away before she moved. He saw her lean over, closing her eyes, in a panic, he swiftly turned his head, her kiss barely missing his lips. He had to control himself not to kiss her back right there and then. Instead, he gave her a peck on the forehead, saying good night once again and fled.

If Astanna remembered it happened, she never mentioned it, and he didn't push the issue. Since she hadn't changed the way she acted around him, he supposed she didn't. Maybe she didn't remember... but he did. And, ever since it had been on his mind, it was maddening. He wondered how her lips would have felt on his, how her skin would have under his rough hands.

Brynjolf grunted, chasing his memories away. Now wasn't the time to think about it, it would only complicate how he felt about Astanna leaving with Mercer in the morning. Nothing he could say would change the Guild Master's mind. Trying to forget, he buried himself in work.

Vex burst into the Flagon, making her way rapidly over the second-in-command.

"Brynjolf!" she cried out.
"What is-" he stopped mind sentence when he saw the expression painted on her face.
"Mercer's back..."
"Okay and what about-"
"She didn't. She won't." she cut him off, knowing perfectly he would asked about Astanna.
"What do you mean she won't?" he asked, confused. Fear, twisting his insides.
"Brynjolf. She died." Vex sadly said, resting a hand on his shoulder to show her support.
"She... She... No, that can't be true." he muttered under his breath.

At that very moment his world darkened, all the sound faded away, muted, his vision blurred. He tried to get up, but the dizziness took the better of him, his hands shaking. Vex was about to help him stand up, but before she could touch him, he slapped her hands away. She looked at him utterly shocked.

"I need to talk to Mercer. Is he still here?" he growled.

Vex pointed into Citern's direction, too surprised to say anything. Brynjolf walked quickly to the other room, his thoughts in turmoil. His mind couldn't process the information; he refused to believed Astanna had died. She was quick on her feet, strong and most of all, smart. She wouldn't go and die, even against Karliah. He couldn't believe he wouldn't see her walking around the Citern, her blond hair floating behind, practiced her bow with Niruin, laughing while playing dices with Thrynn and Rune, sharing stories with Vipir and Cynric, arguing with Sapphire, brawling with Dirge or drinking with Delvin, Vex, Tolinia and himself while Vekel was speaking some nonsense, making them laugh. He couldn't believe he wouldn't see her golden eyes glittering with excitement over a challenge, her laugh when she was joking around with the others, her smile when they talked about the heist they had planned to do together for some time. She wouldn't die before they could go, right? He regretted having pushed over and over the date of their heist. He regretted not having kissed her when he could have. Now, it was all too late.

"Mercer!" he called out to their leader.
"Brynjolf."
"By the Gods' names, what happened?!" he exclaimed.
"Karliah got the better of her. A poised arrow, right into her torso. It was so potent; I couldn't do anything." the Guild Master slowly explained.

Brynjolf lets it sink in. So that was it? Karliah had killed her? He buried his emotions, if he didn't, they would overflow and he couldn't let Mercer see that weak side of him.

"What about Karliah?" he asked.
"She fled. The arrow was meant for me. Astanna died a hero." he said, not a trace of proudness in his voice.
"She did... What are we going to do about that murderer? Can we trace her?" he growled.
"That's what I'm trying to do. I'll go meet some of my contacts, send missives. She won't escape me. I won't let her disappear for another twenty-five years to come back and kill another of our compatriots. I will avenged Astanna if it's the last thing I do, Brynjolf." he assured with a low voice.

Those words calmed him a little. Astanna would be avenged. He couldn't see her again, but a least her death would not go unpunished. He let out a big sigh, looking Mercer in the eyes.

"If there's anything I can do, anything at all..." he calmly proposed.
"Like I said, I have to go fish for some information, in the mid-time, I need you to take care of the Guild. If I learn something, anything, I'll let you know."
"Aye."

Mercer rested a hand on his shoulder, squeezing a little.

"I know it's hard. It's hard on all of us. You'll need to let the others know... unless Vex already told them." he instructed.
"Will do."

Brynjolf took his leave, being near Mercer only made it harder. Knowing he was the one who insisted on bringing Astanna with him, refusing to take him instead. The Nord didn't blame his Guild Master for the death of their companion, it was all Karliah fault. He made himself the promise he would kill her himself.