Karliah blinked her eyes and rubbed the sand from them. The room was much darker than she expected it to be when she awoke. An oil lamp burned in the corner and her eyes darted to the window. It was night. How had she slept so late? Panicked, she almost fell out of bed, pulling the blanket with her when she felt resistance. She turned, Gallus was reading a book on the bed next to her and gave her a questioningly look. Embarrassment heated Karliah's cheeks, she didn't even hear him return or felt him lie next to her. What kind of thief was she turning out to be in front of him? She channeled her embarrassment to anger. Karliah let the heat flow through her words and narrowed her eyes. "You were supposed to wake me up when you returned. We need to study the home."
"You were sound asleep still when I returned. I studied the home earlier and found out enough information about our targets." He said it so matter-of-factually, it annoyed her.
She pivoted her accusation in her frustration. "I was tired earlier, but how are you still functioning?"
"Did you want to get out on this side of the bed instead?" He grinned. Seeing no change of her humor, the smile melted off his face and he spoke again. "I did sleep for a few hours when I got back. I can't sleep well; my mind is always running. I only got up an hour ago. I promise I was going to wake you up soon... I'm sorry to make you upset."
"Do you know how hard you're making this for me? I'm trying to earn my worth and you're... you're treating me like it's my first time thieving." the words burst from her lips. She wasn't sure if she regretted saying them, they were the truth.
Gallus's blue eyes widened in surprise then became pensive, his lips tightened into a thin line. He exhaled and ran his hand through his hair. "Let me correct myself then. I am very sorry for making you upset, and treating you this way." His voice was remorseful. "Karliah, since becoming the guild leader I feel that I need to watch out for my subordinates. And with Dralsi's passing, I feel it even more so. I apologize for being blindsided regarding your desires to prove yourself."
He was concerned about her. Karliah turned her back to him so he didn't see her surprise and confusion. She had to say something. The words were a whisper "I just wanted you to know, I'm going to try my best. Don't try to stop or help me." She leaned over and started to unlace her boots.
The bed creaked and she felt the weight lessen. A mouse made more noise scurrying than his steps. Gallus walked and stopped within her sight but she purposely avoided raising her eyes and shoved her foot forcefully into the boot. He then knelt in front of her, his eyes burrowing into her own. Karliah felt the urge to look away. Yet his gaze held them, she couldn't break the stare. You're Dralsi's daughter. Remember that. Had his blue eyes always been so intense? Gallus spoke "The rest of the night is yours. I'll follow your lead and offer advice if you ask for it."
The sounds of a dulcimer along with raucous singing and clapping resounded from the main hall below. The smell of roasted chicken wafted up through the stairwell as they walked down. "I'm eating before we go." Karliah stated. He said nothing but followed her down to a corner table lit with a single candle. Many men were deep in their drinks, and more than one had a woman on his knee as they laughed and sang. Truth be told, Karliah could barely hear the young girl who was playing the dulcimer. The current song was one about Sovngarde, the Nord belief of life after death. To them, dying in battle was the most honorable way to go, and once in Sovngarde they would feast and drink with warriors from times long gone. She remembered asking her mother where Dunmer go when they died only a few years ago. Her mother smiled and cut another apple, giving Karliah half. It was ripe and crisp. "I was never raised with a notion or religion like the Nords or even some of the Dunmer in Morrowind. How can we as mortals know what happens after death? I think... that part of us never truly leaves Tamriel. We watch over the ones we love, unseen. Maybe even protecting them in a small way. Who knows..." It would be comforting to know that her mother still watched over her. She gazed at the sole candle on the table, the flame danced upon the wick.
Gallus finally caught the serving girl's attention, and she weaved through the rowdy Nord men with their groping hands to their table. The girl sighed as she arrived, annoyed. Karliah felt some pity for her and was glad not for the first time she was a thief. Gallus spoke and passed her some coins "A whole chicken, bread and some roasted leeks or potatoes if you have it. Water too." She nodded and left, and again deftly walked to the bar. Gallus ordering and handling any sort of transaction would yield a more favorable result instead of her, with the Nord's dislike of the mer races. It was an annoyance but one that she learned and grew up with. Karliah didn't see their attitudes changing anytime soon.
"So. What did you find out earlier?" Karliah murmured.
He leaned forward and laced his fingers together. He looked at her through the corner of his eye. "The home has two entrances, two floors. It's near the city wall so I do not suspect the night watch will patrol there as much as the main street. I walked the perimeter, and determined they have a bedroom on the main floor." That was interesting. Most Nords preferred their bedrooms on the second floor, so that the hearth would heat the home more efficiently during the winter months. It could very well be that the home was built that way but she felt the urge to investigate that room.
"We'll be checking that room then. And how has he come into this money? From what you said earlier it seemed sudden."
"The family has some outlying farms that perform well but that kind of revenue stays pretty consistent from year to year. No one I spoke to had any clue however the only thing I could think of is that the family patriarch is in decreasing health and his son now runs the household." Gallus's eyes darted up and he sat back, their meal arrived carried by two serving girls. The chicken was seasoned with pepper and rosemary, the skin crispy and golden. The leeks were slightly roasted and steamed with the basket of rolls. She brought two cups, and a pitcher of water. Karliah hadn't eaten since the roasted crow tenderloins that morning, and her stomach groaned in anticipation.
"Anything else?"
Gallus smiled warmly at serving girl, who stared back in surprise and blushed. "No, this is perfect. Thank you." Karliah watched as she returned to the other serving girls and pointed Gallus out to them. They all smiled and giggled. Gallus paid them no mind and was already serving himself.
Karliah cut a piece of the chicken breast and started to eat. The chicken was too hot still but her growling stomach didn't care. The meat was tender and well-seasoned. Gallus was helping himself to a piece and she studied him through her eyelashes. His dark hair, normally tied back, was free and curled at the ends framing his face. The stubble on his face seemed darker, thicker. "Are you growing a beard?" The few times she'd seen him in life he'd always been clean shaven.
He popped the piece of chicken in his mouth and with his free hand touched his chin and cheeks, feeling the growth. He tried not to smile but failed. "I am thinking about it. I noticed the women were more willing to share information earlier..." Gallus said around his food.
"I'm sure their men loved that. You look like you're up to no good." Karliah muttered and broke a piece of bread, dipping it in the chicken grease.
"I am up to no good." His voice was low and she noticed it held the same kind of... tone that he used on the guards earlier. She chewed and stared blankly at him. Gallus almost choked, laughing on his food from her stare. "It's true though right?"
"Is this why Mercer looks annoyed all the time?" She sipped on her water, she was starting to feel full and didn't want to over eat before their task tonight.
He took a long drink and answered, with his normal voice this time. "We don't have the most compatible of personalities, but we work fine together. I think he normally has a pessimistic nature about him. Not necessarily a bad thing for what we do..." What seemed to be a feast was soon gone before them, just the chicken bones remained. Some of the patrons had left, most likely farmers who had an early day in the morning. Some men still stayed though and sang off-key with the singer.
Finished, Gallus and she walked out of the inn, the cool night air causing her skin to prickle. It wasn't as cold as the night before, thankfully to the overcast sky above. On the streets below, several guards walked holding torches, the light bobbing with every step. Gallus stepped ahead of her, away from the lit entrance of the Bannered Mare and into the shadows. As soon as she was out of the light, a comfort set into her. The darkness cloaked her and she felt confident as she followed him towards the Battle-Born home. Torches were stationed every few hundred feet but they were sparse enough for her and Gallus to avoid sight. Karliah brushed the blade handles at her sides, they would be a last resort should something afoul arise. There was no shame in running away if it meant you could live another day. They walked up the steps of the Hall of the Dead and watched the home quietly. Only one guard passed by before following the street as it winded through the city. Pulling up her hood, she crouched and walked through the shadows to the back entrance of the Battle-Born residence. Karliah leaned on the door and listened. Not a single sound emerged. Removing the pick from her pocket she placed it in the lock and closed her eyes. She listened as she prodded, felt the catch and pulled. Click.
Exhaling she opened the door and crept inside. The door closed softly moment later with Gallus behind her. A small fire was lit in the hearth but she saw no one. A long table was set with plates and goblets, and a bowl of fruit. Several empty cushioned chairs circled the hearth with lavish rug beneath them. They had come into money. Karliah's eyes darted around the room and she saw the door, which could only be to the bedroom. She lightly placed her feet on the floorboards, lightly applying pressure to see if they would sound before shifting more weight. Her ears strained to hear any noise outside of the crackling fire, and again never heard Gallus behind her. She stopped again, and listened at the door. There was a soft snoring inside. Carefully touching the handle, she pulled down and the door silently opened. Inside, was a very large four poster bed, its occupants fast asleep. Rugs lining the sides of the bed and nightstands with candles. Dark lacquered cabinets and a dresser lined the walls. Karliah's eyes darted to the tables, the lady of the home slept closest to the door. Jewelry was left on the nightstand within reach. Her heart began to beat faster and she took a slow breath and focused. Karliah extended her hand and pocketed the two rings and necklace, she'd examine them later.
Turning to go around the bed she saw yet another door, hidden next to a tall dresser. It was not easily visible from the entrance of the room. Quietly, she made her way to the second door and examined it. There was no reason to trap bedrooms, but a room like this could very well have a trap. She saw none and tested the handle. Again, it was unlocked. Arrogant family... she thought to herself. Slowly opening the door, it was a very small office. A window to outside was protected with an iron grill and it let in some light from a torch. A small safe sat next to three letters on the table. A hand softly pushed her back and she crept slowly toward the safe. She took out the same pick and worked on the safe. Gallus appeared a moment next to her and went through the letters, holding them up to the light to read them. The safe clicked almost silently and she looked inside. A pendant of some sort with a large carved moonstone. She held it up slightly to examine it. The carving was a hawk, holding two upward blades in its talons. Next to it was a decent size purse. She reached for it, slowly moving the purse to avoid jarring the coins inside. She closed the safe and looked to Gallus. He apparently took one of the letters since only two remained now. Karliah nodded to him and they quietly made their way from the office and room, and out the door.
It was still dark but the clouds had thinned, showing the stars in the sky. The moon, a white crescent, weakly shined through the thinning clouds. Soon it would be much brighter with the weakening cloud cover. She wouldn't have minded... if the night watch hadn't turned the corner and started to head right for them. He would see them soon by the light of his torch. Gallus crouched silently next to her and watched her and the guard. His eyes showed little concern but he was evaluating her, now of all times. She tried to control her breathing and her heart when she heard her mother - "...take your time and gauge the environment and situation". Karliah mentally cursed, her eyes darting for an escape when she saw it. Small pieces of stone had broken from the walkway to the home and she picked a piece, big enough for her fist. Aiming, she pulled her arm back and threw, well past the guard where it bounced several times from where he came. He turned and called out "Hello?" before walking back to investigate the sound.
Quickly she tugged Gallus's hand briefly, motioning to him to follow her to the Hall of the Dead. It was a tall building, and part of it lead underground to the mausoleum. But due to the structure of it, the light cast from torches wouldn't touch them. They just needed to wait for that guard to pass. Karliah knew he'd be back soon. Creeping along the sides she found the spot, completely in shadow. It was small but the both of them should be able to fit. She rushed and knelt there. Breathing heavily, a grin formed on her face. He crouched next to her breathing heavily as well. "He fell for it. I did it!" She whispered quietly, she almost wanted to laugh hysterically from her juvenile trick.
"Shhh." He murmured, although there was an undertone of laughter in the command. He moved closer to the wall and suddenly pulled her into him. She heard it, not just one pair foot-steps, but two. The patrol walked by slowly and gazed from their visors into the darkness holding their torches high. Karliah took long slow breaths to control her breathing. Gallus was breathing slowly too, but his heart was racing. She looked up, he was almost crushing himself into the corner of the building. His eyes stayed locked onto the night patrol. His right arm was tight around her, and strangely he kept his left hand free and slightly extended from himself.
"There is nothing here Solstraaf. Was probably a stray dog or cat..." The guard said, annoyance in his voice. The other guard said nothing but they continued down the street, searching.
The street became dark again and Gallus looked down at her, his arm hardly loosening his grip. His voice murmured, tone impressed. "You're... you're very clever. That and more." Gallus still held her, his hand on the small of her back. His eyes stared intensely into hers. She couldn't look away from him. Her pulse ran faster than the first time she ever pickpocketed, but her body was frozen. Gallus leaned down, his eyes darting to her lips briefly before returning to her eyes. And he touched his lips against her own.
It was a powerful current that passed between them. Karliah felt herself tremble in his arms. He started slowly, kissing her lips softly. His lips hovering above hers to return and kiss again. Desire burned within her, and she wanted more. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and his lips stayed on hers. Karliah could feel the slight stubble from his beard brushing upon her skin. He was handsome; she would never admit that out loud. Her heart fluttered in her chest. Gallus's tongue licked her lips and she opened her mouth slightly, where he pressed his lips harder against hers. He pulled her into him, her body against his chest when a soft moan escaped her throat. His body tensed. Then pushed her away slightly, yet his hands still gripped onto her arms. Gallus breathed heavily and he swallowed. There was a hunger in his eyes and he turned his face away. Had she done something wrong?
"No... I... I shouldn't have done that. I am your leader... it's not right." The words came out staggered, and he sounded unsure of himself.
"I liked it." Her words were barely a whisper.
Gallus sighed dejectedly. "It doesn't mean what I did was excusable. I was elated from the heist and wasn't thinking clearly." He looked down the street and stood, lifting her to her feet. "Forgive me, I am a man like any other. This won't happen again."