Karliah followed Gallus as he walked past the bar and into the Cistern. Many of the lamps were out, and most of the beds were empty. Only a few thieves took the evening off to sleep. The only sounds were her footsteps and the water droplets slightly echoing in the chamber. The times she had visited briefly before, fellow thieves socialized or practiced dueling. She looked to the guild leader walking in front of her. He was taller than she, but with her being mer most humans were. He walked casually on the worn stone towards his desk. But something felt off… when she heard it. Or rather, not heard it. Gallus's steps barely made a sound on the stones, it was almost unnatural. Her mind darted back to the Flagon just moments before. Mercer Frey was the same way she realized. Had the candles and lamps been extinguished in the Flagon she wouldn't have known he was there. She made a note to study them and see if they applied pressure on their feet a different way to achieve the silence. Gallus sat behind his desk and she stood next to him as he shifted through pieces of paper in the drawer. It looked a jumbled mess to her but he seemed to know what he was looking for. He located a piece of paper and read it, his other hand brushing the stubble on his chin. "I'm glad we don't fully consent on some of these jobs. Markarth is out of the question with the Reachmen uprising, I wouldn't send anyone there." Most everyone had heard about the Forsworn, or Reachmen they called themselves. They were the original inhabitants of the Reach and Markarth hundreds of years ago. That was before the Nords eradicated most of them claiming the territory as their own. Now Reachmen have risen again and have sieged Markarth and the outlying towns. It was a matter of time before the rebellion would be quelled. The Forsworn makeshift weapons were nothing compared to Nordic steel.

"What was Delvin and Mercer working on for you?" She inquired quietly.

Blue eyes darted only a moment to her as he unfolded the parchment. It crinkled as he smoothed it out. "I held a meeting earlier today, I want to try to find rare treasures and showcase them for all to view. I'm sure many have heard of such riches on their travels here. Let's see what Delvin wrote down..." His eyes scanned the parchment, zigzagging along as he read silently. "Some of these are not in mansions or homes, but in the ancient Nordic ruins... I don't doubt that there are ancient treasures but the places are littered with traps and Draugr." His eyes rose again and met hers. "They are real."

The Draugr were deceased Nords from long ago. And still desired to fulfill their duty protecting the ruins they haunted. Some rumors said they could even use the Voice and Shout, like the reclusive monks atop High-Hrothgar. While the monks waited for their prophesied Dragonborn, the Draugr waited and attacked any unwary adventure that set foot in their crypts. "Mother said they were but I've never seen one. She said that the risks weren't worth it going into the ruins for a treasure that may already be looted."

Gallus nodded and bit his lip. "She's right, but sometimes the adventure, and studying the antiquities, itself is rewarding. Let's see what else..." The glow of the solitary lantern on the desk cast a warm light on the guild leaders face. His dark brows furrowed as he read. "Apparently the Battle-born family of Whiterun has been coming into a lot of coin of late and they may be a good home to visit. They have several trinkets, or at the least gold, that may be of interest. Hmm..." Gallus turned the parchment over and briefly read the backside before returning his attention to her. "I don't doubt that their home will be guarded. And they themselves are renowned fighters."

Her muscles tensed and stood straighter; he didn't think she could do it! "I can do it Gallus." It was hard to keep the heat from her voice.

Gallus's eyes widened and he closed them, then exhaled. "Karliah, that's not what I'm implying." His eyes opened again and studied her. "I have never given you a task. Nor have I seen you on an assignment. I completely understand why your mother kept you away from the guild, for your safety. The life of the thief attracts those who live in the now, as you could tell with the young men in the Flagon earlier. I only knew that you participated on quests because I trusted your mother. I would trust her with my own life. Dralsi would review the tasks over and said she'd be taking you with her. She'd tell me often of how quick you were, and what an excellent shot you had with the bow. Training you was her passion, outside of being a thief herself." Her eyes started to water hearing him speak of her mother this way. She blinked, ridding herself of the excess water in her eyes. He continued. "I would be doing a poor job of honoring her memory if I let you end up in jail... or worse." He looked down at the littered parchment in front of him.

Neither of them said a word for several minutes. She couldn't say anything with the lump in her throat. Dralsi was the only caregiver she knew; but she was stern and infrequent with her praises. Karliah realized early on as her mother trained her over and over, that was her way of showing her love. Every success was met with her mother pushing her harder, to be faster at the craft. And to hear the words from Gallus of what her mother thought of her... nearly broke her composure. She should leave. What was she thinking? That she'd be fine after burying her mother the night before. Karliah had nothing to hold her back, she could travel and explore her mother's homeland, Morrowind. Before her thoughts raced much further, he grabbed a quill and a blank parchment and started to write. She couldn't avert her eyes from his scribbling, and nor did he hide the letter or ask her to look away.

Mercer,

Watch over the Guild for me and have Delvin assist you with handing out tasks.

Also in three days, have Dirge or Maul go to the Black-briar manor from our

prior discussion with Maven. I need them to listenfor me as well.

I am going to Whiterun with Karliah for a few house visits. Be back soon.

- Gallus

Karliah felt her eyes widen as Gallus finished his signature and blew on the parchment, setting the ink. His face was locked on the letter. He spoke softly. "Go rest and pack your belongings, we're leaving before the sun rises tomorrow."

She all but ran back to the small cottage that she shared with her mother outside Riften. Karliah would prove to Gallus she was as good a thief as her mother. Once he trusted her she could get harder tasks. Harder tasks meant more riches. She'd be able to survive and live on her own. She arrived and picked the poison trap and the lock before entering the home, and reset them out of habit. Her mother had the lock and trap installed on the door and threw the key into the lake when they first purchased the property. She then made Karliah learn to pick the trap and lock, even blindfolded to hone her skills. The poison wasn't lethal, although a sudden onset of nausea and vertigo would have anyone stumbling and regretting their choice.

The single room abode was dark and she didn't bother to light the candles or the fire. The wood floor creaked in its familiar way as she entered. She knew where everything was. A fireplace on her right with two chairs and small table Karliah and her mother often ate at. A cabinet for their belongings and the double bed they shared. Even though it was cooler, the furs and blankets would be enough to keep her warm. Most of her belongings were already packed. She slipped out of her leather gear and shrugged into her nightshirt before climbing into the bed. Pulling the furs and blankets over her body, Karliah shifted the covers to keep out the cold air. She still smelled her mother on the pillows and blankets, and she gripped them closer to her body. She inhaled deeply. Dralsi would wash her hair with lavender, and under that, the smell of her perspiration and leather still lingered. The tears came unbidden from her eyes and she choked back a sob. Breathing heavily, she stared into the darkness, feeling her determination grow. "I will make you proud mother. I promise."

A light knock rapped at the door. Karliah's eyes to bolted open and she held her breath to hear better. Her heartbeat seemed thunderous in her ears. She slowly grabbed the long-bladed dagger she kept on the nightstand and crept toward the door. It couldn't be Gallus, she felt as though she closed her eyes only moments ago. She now wished her mother had windows for the small cabin, but Dralsi argued it would be another way for malicious people to break in. Now, Karliah was alone, unable to see who was outside. She ground her teeth and strained to hear. The knock came again. She heard the stranger grab onto the door handle, the metal slightly shifting against the wood. Less than a quarter turn and the poison trap would be set off. She waited to hear the clicking of the handle. It never turned.

"Damnit Dralsi... " It was Gallus! His voice strengthened and he spoke again "Karliah, it's Gallus. It's morning..."

"Give me few moments..." She returned to the bed and small cabinet, removing her damp nightshirt and hastily threw on a cotton tunic and leather breaches. She lit a candle quickly and unlocked the door and undid the trap from her side, allowing Gallus to enter. He blinked and covered his eyes from the light, until his eyes adjusted. He had a pack with him and twin blades strapped to his hips. Gallus's dark hair was wet she could tell, it seemed almost as dark as the leather gear he wore. Surprisingly he didn't appear tired, his eyes seemed alert as they looked around and finally rested on her. She turned from his gaze and picked up her leather vest. "Did you sleep at all? I feel like I just closed my eyes when you knocked. I thought you were a stranger at first..." A small laugh escaped her lips and she continued. "I guess you haven't been inside before. Last night I'll be here though." Grabbing her boots she sat on the bed and began to lace them.

"I slept a few hours. I find being a guild leader causes my mind to be restless at night... I mean not to say I don't enjoy it. I just have more on my mind than before." He turned, stepping towards and inspecting the barren fireplace. As expected the wood floor didn't creak under his weight. Gallus was not a heavy-set man; he was lean like most thieves. Karliah studied his posture subtly as he continued. "I had stopped by once before when I needed to review some things with Dralsi... you were away. She said that she sent you to hunt and practice your bow. She was outside whittling arrow shafts. She never mentioned she had the door trapped, but that seems very much like her now." He stifled a yawn into his gloved hand. Karliah clenched her teeth together to prevent the mimicry. Finishing lacing her boots, she swung her bow and quiver on her back and sheathed the dagger on her hip. She picked up her own pack and looked expectantly at Gallus. "Ready?"

Karliah nodded and exited the dwelling after him, blowing out the candle on the way. She turned and locked the home, and reset the trap. He said nothing as he watched. "Just habit." Her words seemed a shout in the early morning. Few birds chirped and she could see the beginnings of dawn in the sky. Night was fading to purple and then orange on the eastern horizon. The cold nipped at her face, her breath misting. Walking, they made their way to the road which circled the lake. The rising sun's rays broke above the eastern mountains behind them. Karliah spied a few boats on the water, the fishermen were starting their morning as well. "Which way are we taking?"

Gallus reached into his pack removing a loaf bread and broke half for her. It was still warm surprisingly, the heat soaking through her hands. Her stomach grumbled in anticipation. He smiled to himself and took a bite of his own share. He mumbled around his food "We'll head to Ivarstead then north. We should be able to make it to Whiterun tomorrow morning I hope. Going through the mountains and Helgen could put us at risk for a snow storm."