Nightingale Whispers
By Jackie Almasy
For what has been done
Cannot be undone
In the evil's heart
In the evil's soul
-Florence and The Machine, "Seven Devils"
Chapter 3
Shadows Paradox
Brynjolf felt his heart stopping momentarily as his fellow Nightingale took a bow before the Ebonmere. Quickly following suit, the silence of the old temple was soon interrupted by the piercing cries of what seemed to be hundreds of nightingales. The deafening rhythm of their wings sent a breeze of considerable strength down onto the two agents of darkness. Their leather cloaks lifted off of the ground and began flowing behind them.
Though his gaze was on the floor, Brynjolf could hear the Mistress of the Night herself rising up out of the purple gateway. Her tone did little to hide her anger.
"Every time I step into your world Nightingales, I find myself less and less pleased." Nocturnal spoke coldly as her form hung above the endless portal. The birds on her arms stared quietly down at the Agents of Luck. Flexing their claws along their mistress's arms, the Daedra showed no notice of their growing impatience.
Karliah was the first to reply as she kept her gaze to the floor. "Forgive me Lady Nocturnal! We did not know of the dangers that Aia faced on her mission! She was acting on the Guild's behalf…"
"Do you forget your Mistress's sight Karliah?" Nocturnal turned her gaze to the tiny Dark Elf. Her eyes narrowed in disgust. "Your 'Aia' has spent nearly every day praying to me, begging for help."
Brynjolf suddenly interrupted and stood up from his kneeling position. Taking off his cowl in haste, the Nord's red hair fell along his dirt caked face. The days of non-stop running the horses through the woods and along the dirt roads of Skyrim showed on his skin. The pale color of his cheeks showed a lack of much needed sleep.
"Milady Nocturnal, I beg you to tell us where she is! The Guild needs its master and we Nightingales are incomplete without our comrade!" Brynjolf's green eyes couldn't hide the air of desperation any longer.
"Brynjolf!" Karliah hissed to her fellow thief as shock filled her violet gaze. The Dark Elf maintained her bowed position as her arms motioned downward. "Do you have no honor? Bow!"
Nocturnal merely turned her head slowly to gaze at the Nightingale before her. Karliah gasped softly before bowing her head once again. Her heart felt like it had leapt into her throat. She did not know what her Lady was about to do and Brynjolf was now beyond her reach.
"Beg? One of my Nightingales is begging?" Nocturnal began softly as if asking the air and not Brynjolf.
Brynjolf shook slightly but held his ground. Bowing his head again but remaining standing before the Daedric Lord.
"Yes Nocturnal, I am begging you. Tell me the location of Aia! Let us do your bidding to return your Agent of the Night to her rightful place."
"Foolish words from a lying man." Nocturnal stated coldly. "Your words may fool the mortals of this world but they cannot fool me Brynjolf, Thief of Riften."
Brynjolf felt his breath suddenly leave his lungs. Of course if anyone would have known, it would have been the Lady of Night herself. He felt his body shudder somewhat, the impact of her words beginning to weight heavily upon him.
"I know of your affections for Aia, little Nord. How your fellow mortals could miss it is beyond comprehension. In fact, so much of your mortal ways seem so trivial to me. What remains after all this is your oath to serve me. The contract of the Nightingales is never severed."
Karliah moved her gaze to Brynjolf. She could see the man's tall and muscular body shudder slightly under the scorn of their Mistress.
"I hate unfulfilled agreements. As such, I will tell you where Aia's whispered prayers have been coming from…" Nocturnal spoke slowly with conviction. At these words, Brynjolf's head jerked up to look upon her face. He remained silent as he met her scornful and cold gaze.
"Far to the north of the city of Solitude there lies a Lighthouse. From there, walk along the shores of the frozen waters until you reach Broken Oar Grotto." Nocturnal stated clearly. "Be warned Nightingale. Fail in this quest to return my Thief to her rightful place and you shall fall from my favor. Not even in Shadow will you be reunited."
"Yes Nocturnal. I will do as you command." Brynjolf spoke cautiously as he returned to his bowed position with one knee upon the floor.
Karliah and Brynjolf remained kneeled until the sound of the flocking birds seemed but an echo into the darkness. Rising to their feet, Karliah broke into a full run to keep up with the determined Nord.
Neither spoke as they exited the Twilight Sepulcher. With the words from their Mistress weighing heavy upon their hearts and minds, Brynjolf focused everything he had into running. The nearest town of Falkreath was no more than a days ride away. Supplies were needed and with as minimal sleep as possible, Brynjolf planned to ride as much as possible.
Even if it meant being tied to the saddle of his horse. Even if it meant driving the animal to the brink of destruction.
I know this is very much delayed and needs a lot of revision. I am also aware that this chapter is very short. I plan to do updates on my days off this week. Thank you for your patience and dedication to this story. I plan to update one chapter per week now. We'll see how this goes.
Till next time,
Jackie Almasy
P.S. I am aware the summary says Dwemer ruin and I am pointing to a groto all of a sudden. Hehe plot strings will be tied together, promise.
Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is copyrighted by Bethesda Softworks and Bethesda Game Studios. I own nothing.
