Airika yelped as Karliah helped her to her feet, panting as she let the wave of pain calm down.
"I can make it to the inn, lets go we have much work to do" she stuttered under the pressure of her body on her weak knees.

Karliah sighed and nodded helping the girl the short distance to the inn in Winterhold.
When they arrived, Karliah slipped Airika to her underclothes and helped her into bed covering her with the warm fur blankets.
"I have asked that they bring food and warm water so that you can wash when you feel up to it. I want you to finish these potions as well,
you will need all the strength you can get. I am going to the College to get Enthir, I will return as soon as I can"
karliah slipped from the room leaving Airika to find the sorrow seep back over her, washing her face with unstoppable tears.
Oh how she missed her mother and father and her true love. She felt anger pouring in at the thought of the person who had taken
so much from her. He will die by my blade she growled

She ate a few bites of the hot meal that was brought to her before rubbing the warm water over her blood stained skin, sighing at
the relief it brought. Careful not to disturb her wound she let the water run over it, letting the air dry it.
She spit when she saw the tear left in her armor from Mercer's sword, adding to her hatred for the greying man.

She had just finished the potions when the door gently swung open to reveal Karliah and an old man in robes.

"This is Enthir, he has agreed to help. He can also help heal you" She smiled softly at the kind faced man.

"First things first, I want to see the battle scar this lass is dealing with" Enthir said as he approached Airika.
He gently peeled back the blanket and winced at the sight. He placed his palms over the closing wound and let the orange
glow nip its healing magic. Airika sighed as the raging ache died a little and Enthir gently patted her head with a smile.

"Don't try to heal yourself, you will just waste energy. We will do what we can. Now, Karliah..this journal?"

Karliah reached into her bag and produced the tattered book for Enthir, his brow furrowed as he scrolled through it.
"Aye, It is Falmer indeed but I will not be able to read this. You will need to bring me Calcelmo's notes.
He is working on an excavation in Markarth, I warn you he will not give them easily. Once you have them, bring them
to me and I will do what I can." He paused before leaving the room and looked at Airika "You will need your rest, please
take care so Mercer can pay for what he has done"

"I want you to rest now, we will take a carriage to Markarth which will take several days and I need you strong.
I am going to see what I can find for potions in this town. I will be back soon" closing the door gently behind her

Airika drifted back into her sleep world but it was quickly invaded by the screams of her mother and the look of
hatred on Brynjolfs face as she pleaded with him to listen. She felt warm hands shaking her back to reality.

"You were having a nightmare, do you want to discuss it?" Karliahs hand gently rubbing Airika's cheek

"No, what time is it? Can we head out? She almost pleaded as she gently tested her movements against the dull ache

"If you feel you are ready then we can leave. Let me apply more salve while you eat something."

The sweet smell filled her nostrils as the pulling wound thanked the hands helping it, Airika rolled her shoulders in relief
knowing as long as she was careful, it would not slow her down.

The carriage ride to Markarth was silent save the occasional mutter of Mercer's death and Airika holding back the screams
she wanted to shout. Maybe a dragon will just me eat now she thought almost hopefully.
They rode through the day and night only stopping so Karliah and the carriage driver could dispel a few vermin in the way.

The city was loud and smelled of dirt as they entered Understone Keep, they immediately scoped the locations of the guards.
With a few pretty smiles and a sultry voice, the guard at the door told them where to find Calcelmo.
He was an odd Wizard cursing over his notes when they approached him knowing he was not going to be an easy one.

"I told you, no visitors now get lost before I call the..." he grumbled "Oh, what can I do to help you ladies? Surely you
are not here to help in the excavation"

Karliah edged closer to the white hair man, her voice as sweet as a Nightingale "Calcelmo? I was told you were an attractive man
but I believe that was understated. Forgive me, my name is Ferna I have had an interest in the Falmer since I was a maiden and thought
maybe you could show me some things?" her deep grey eyes sparkling at the man

"I...I..I would be happy to, could you maybe come back in a few hours for a..personal tour of my museum?"

"I will meet you in this very spot" she almost whispered leaning into the old mans ear

Airika could hardly suppress her giggle as they turned to walk towards the locked museum quickly flashing the key
she had pickpocketed while Karliah buttered him up.
They waited until the guard at the door turned his back before they snuck in, keeping low to avoid the eye of the
personal and city guards patrolling inside. They stayed in the shadows until they reached Calcelmo's laboratory.
Airika quickly picked the lock and slid inside with Karliah close behind her as they found their way through
multiple rooms searching for Calcemo's notes when they heard a mans gruff voice shout for them to halt followed
by several feet rushing in on them.

Unsheathing their weapons they silently brought the men down before continuing across a balcony and into Calcelmo's
tower.

"In the name of Talos, how do we take that back?" Airika gasped staring at the huge stone containing the Falmer
translation notes.
Karliah shuffled for a minute and found parchment and charcoal, they quickly made a rubbing when they heard the footsteps
of approaching people
"I know they are in here. Kill them on sight" a man grumbled "Calcelmo's nephew apparently isn't as sweet" Airika whispered

Karliah nodded her heads towards the balcony as she slipped away in the shadow "come on, this way"
They were on a balcony overlooking Markarth when they exchanged a worried look.
"I want you to carefully jump into the waterfall. I will follow behind you, this may hurt I'm afraid but
our only other choice is to go back" Karliah helped Airika to the ledge and sighed as she landed in the water beside her.

"Are you in pain? Do you need a potion?"

"No I'm ok, Karliah. Lets get out of here" Airika said trying to ring the water from her hair

She realized her wound had reopened as they settled into the carriage back to Winterhold.
Karliah cursed Mercer under her breath as she tried to close the wound and ease the pain.
Airika found herself drifiting into sleep within seconds.
"You're ok lass, this will wear off soon. I need you to rest" Karliah cooed into her ear.

In the name of Talos, you've drugged me Airika tried to say before her eyelids closed

She awoke in a warm bed covered with furs when she heard Karliah and Enthir speaking, she quickly
rose when she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry about that, I hope you aren't terribly mad. You just weren't getting the rest you needed to
heal so I just helped you, nothing poisonous of course."

"Aye, You should really warn people before doing that but thank you"

"Come, Enthir is translating the journal. I am heading to Riften, when Enthir is done join me there.
I have left a horse for you outside and Airika, be careful." Karliah gave the girl a gentle hug and thanked
Enthir before running out the door.

Enthir explained the writing in the journal, describing how Gallus had caught Mercer taking from the Guild and
how he was going to out him. The rage built back up in Airika as she restocked her bag and started her journey back.
She drove her horse on as fast as the animal could take, she ignored the pain each bump left her.
Brynjolfs look of hatred brought the tears back to her eyes as she cursed Mercers name in a scream.
Nothing could stand in her way as she approached Riften feeling the warmth of blood dripping from her
tearing wound. She gritted her teeth and urged her horse on, testing its very will. She took no time to
check the extent of the damage as she slipped off and ran through the gates towards the cemetary. She found
the passage blocked when she heard Karliahs voice whisper from the shadows.

"They blocked it hours ago, we will have to enter through the Ratway. Airika, be prepared this could get
dangerous"

Airika took no time as she ran for the Ratway entrance, even when Karliah asked her how bad her wound was, pleading
with her to stop so she could check it.
Her rage and sadness colliding as she opened the door to the Ragged Flagon to be greeted by her fellow Guild members
holding their drawn weapons, ready to fight whoever they needed.
They said nothing to Airika and Karliah as they entered the Cistern, their eyes spoke all the words needed.
Airika's heart sunk when she saw Brynjolf standing in the center screaming at Delvin, his body whipping to
face her his words stopped and his stance tightened.

"Bryn.." she whispered

"How dare you show your face here and with HER? You should have just died, how dare you come here" he screamed "Airika what have you..."

Airika braced herself as his words stung her worse than her wound that was beginning to seep blood from her armor onto the floor.

"Enough!" Karliah shouted silencing the room "We have Gallus's journal, just read it, all of you read it.
It was all Mercer."

Brynjolf grabbed the journal from Karliah's hand reading in silence as his eyes grew wider, his hands beginning to shake.

"By the gods, it's true. Mercer..my gods.." his chin falling to his face his heard Vex yelling beside him

"What's it say, Brynjolf? You better tell us now before I exterminate these vermin" she growled

"It says that Mercer has been stealing from Guild for years, that everything is gone and that he...
he..feared Mercer would kill him and Airika's father to cover it up..no this can't be true.." his head shaking in confusion
and anger. "Get that safe open, NOW" he bellowed

"There is no way he could pick that lock, it takes two keys to open. He had neither of..." her words cut off by gasps

The vault was empty, not a coin left. Airika felt the blood loss taking her over as roars of anger filled the room.
She could not make out what they were saying as her vision tunneled and she felt her legs teeter, she heard Brynjolf's voice
a world away as she hit the ground.

The pain made her yell as she struggled to open her eyes, she felt firm hands pinning her shoulders down as her eyes tried to focus.

"Don't move, Lass. Delvin ran to get a healer, please just hold still." her vision began fading again as she cried out his name.
"I'm here, stay with me" he cried as she faded into blackness.
XxXXXxXxx

Brynjolf scooped Airika into his arms and ran to place her into his bed, screaming for Delvin to get a healer and Vex to grab
all the potions she could find. His voice loud enough to wake the dead he pleaded for the gods to hear him, to let her wake up.
XXxXxx

She awoke again to feel gentle hands on her chest, the orange glow filling the room with its light. She heard quiet sobbing
from somewhere in the room and the painful dryness in her throat.

"Good, you're awake. I don't know how after seeing this wound, do not try to move. I have to close this wound from the inside
or infection will set in. I need to restock and replenish myself, rest now child" a soft voiced priestess said as she rose from
the bed side.

Airika nodded and let her eyes adjust to the dim room. The sobs grew closer as she felt a calloused hand take hers.

"I am so sorry, he told me..he told me you and Karliah..he gave me your necklace..oh gods" Brynjolfs sobs growing

"Bryn hush, crying hurts. Please stop" she moaned as she choked back tears

"I saw what he did to you, I'm going to kill him, Airika. I will find him and kill him. You said I didn't know
everything and I thought..how could I think that about you? Karliah told me everything" his cries turning back to anger
"She told me I kept you alive, that you stayed alive for me. If that is true Airika then please just heal, please"

Airika growled in pain as she lightly pulled the large man signaling him to climb into the bed beside her. The smell of his skin
filled her lungs and the touch his gruff face prickled her skin.

"I did stay alive for you, I made you a promise, my Bryn. I need to tell you somethings..things about me. Things I was
to scared to tell you at the beginning. I should have told you then but let me heal we will talk, my love. " her tears falling to his chest

"Is the pain great, what can I do?" his hand gently rubbing her cheek

"The pain is nothing compared to the pain I felt at the thought of losing you" she whispered

"I am so sorry" the exhaustion of his cries catching up with him.

Brynjolf was drifting to sleep when he was jolted awake by Airika's screams, her face dripping with fever.
Within seconds the healer appeared with another robed woman.
"Infection is setting in, I need you to leave us now." her priestess soft voice sound firmly

Delvin pulled Brynjolf from the room closing the door behind me. Placing his hand on the shoulder of his friend he
tried to keep Brynjolf from falling apart.

"The healer came with help, they will fix her up Brynjolf. You'll see, everything is going to be alright." Delvin tried to
hide the worry in his own eyes. "Lydia is looking for you, her and Rune are in the Flagon"

Brynjolf slowly made his way to the Flagon, his heart threatening to pound from his chest. Rune slid him a cup of mead as he sat
at the table.

"How is my Thane? We came as soon as we heard she was in danger. I should have been here damn it, I knew not to let her go"

"You KNEW about you did not tell me?" Brynjolfs voice roaring in anger

"I have known Airika a long time. She said she had to take care of this alone. It was against my will." Her voice meager

"What hasn't she told me, Lydia. You better start talking now" His face tightening

"It is not my place, Brynjolf. She asked me to tell you she loved you if she did not return and to take care of you
and her Companions. There is much to learn, did you think to take the time and find the answer?" Lydia growled back

Tears poured from his eyes as Airika's screams rang from the Cistern to the Flagon

Lydia's hand reached across the table to meet Brynjolf's. "We have seen many battles, from dragons to being outnumbered
by mages but nothing else ever made her more scared than the nightmares she has. They stopped when you were reunited.
You look at her like she is still the maiden from many years ago but she is not. She is the Dragonborn and that brings
great risk and many dangerous journeys, far more dangerous than what she was just experienced. She has a prophecy to
fulfill and I know Airika, she will survive and she will want you there when she wakes but I will make myself very clear,
Brynjolf. If you hurt her, my blade will meet your throat."

"I want to be there every moment of everyday until the gods rip us from each other. I don't care what prophecy she has,
dragons be damned. I will not lose her again" after a moment of silence he found himself laughing "Lydia, did you just threaten
to kill me?"

"Aye, I did" Lydia said her eyes locked onto his

"Rune, hold onto this one. I like her"

"No problem, Brynjolf" Rune said as he placed an arm around Lydia placing a kiss on her forehead

Delvin slid a bottle of mead to Brynjolf before taking a seat beside him
"The healer says it will be awhile, she is sleeping now. She said..she said her mother and father were
waiting for her but she said she needed you to tell her if she should go" A tear fell from the bald mans eyes hitting the table before
he quickly reached up to wipe his cheek.

The chair fell as Brynjolf jumped up and ran to his loves bedside where he stayed for 2 days and night, holding her hand,
running a cool cloth over her face while the healers did what they could.

"Just stay with me, love. I need you here. Airika, stay here" he pleaded until his voice went hoarse.

Delvin would bring food but he couldn't bear to think about eating, he just whispered for her to open her eyes and come back
to him until sleep took him over.

"Bryn..my love. My hand..." he heard a voice calling

"Bryn..my hand"..

His eyes flew open as he jumped to his feet, Airika's cheeks a health pink and a soft smile on her face

"Bryn, you're making my hand sweaty" she laughed "Can you help me up, please?"

"By the gods, you're awake. Thank you for coming back to me, he buried his face into her neck gently, the rushing
tears from his eyes running down her neck into her hair.

"Brynjolf, you are crying more than a maiden! Help me up, please" she laughed

Brynjolf pulled his face back to study the eyes of the once dying woman in front of him

"Are you joking me? In the name of Talos, you tried to die in front of me and you're making jokes?"

Her hand reached for his face "I've been awake for hours, the healer said I could try to stand when I felt ready.
I wanted you to rest." Her eyes met his as he kissed her fingertips "I could hear you wherever I was, I followed it back. It was so dark but I could hear you and I wasn't alone. Bryn, will you love me no matter what? I need to know"

"No matter what, my love."

"We need to talk, but first help me up, PLEASE" she pleaded

Brynjolf gently placed his arms around her petite body and lifted her to the ground, holding her until she legs were steady.
She laid her head on his chest and breathed a deep sigh.
"I'm hungry, can we eat?"

"Of course, love. Lydia is here, she has been waiting for you" Brynjolf said stroking her hair

"Help me slip those clothes on and lets go" she winced as her stiff body reached for fresh clothing in the chair

"I will bring it..." her hand covered his mouth

"Brynjolf, didn't we have this talk before I left? Now, get those clothes on me and lets GO"

Without further protest, he gently slipped the clothing on to her body, pausing to look at her now puckered scar
"Does it hurt?" he asked running a finger around it

"My stiff muscles actually hurt worse. I would like to send more coin to those healers"

"I will take care of it, can you walk to the Flagon?"

"Aye" she muttered testing the strength of her legs on their own "Bryn, where's Mercer?"

"We're trying to find him, lass and when we do.." his voice almost feral. "Vex and Delvin have taken
watch at the gates, Rune at the cemetary entrance and Sapphire and Dirge at the Ratway. He isn't getting in
here undetected."

Brynjolf locked arms with her as they slowly walked to the Flagon where an anxious Lydia awaited her.

"Oh Airika, you had us so worried. Farkas sent word to Riften, he said he dreamt you..died. I have sent
word back to him that you are in fact fine and will be coming for a visit soon. He doesn't need the details" Lydia's voice hurried
"staying here was the hardest thing I've ever done..I should have been..."

"LYDIA..shush. Did Rune see his father? He is being good to you? It is important to my health that you tell me what I've missed" she smiled

"He did see his father, we stayed a few days while he was in port. He was so happy, you really did gave him an amazing gift."

"and?...Is he being good to you? Lydia come on, you're killing me over here"

Lydia's face turned red as she smiled "A little to well, I think..I think we're going to the Temple of Mara"

Airika squealed in delight demanding Brynjolf bring bottles of mead she tried to rise to her feet as she saw Rune enter
the Flagon, pausing to test the ache threatening to roll through her. Rune saw her discomfort and quickly ran to her
gently embracing her.
"I was worried my face would never blush again" he exclaimed as he kissed her cheek

"What in Oblivion am I missing?" Brynjolf asked as he studied the group of friends