Bryn and Iris managed to slip into her house unnoticed. They avoided the windows, ducked down to make sure they wouldn't be seen together. He made it fun, almost like a game. Despite the dire consequences of potentially getting caught, he still managed to make her laugh nearly hysterically as they snuck around her house. It's another reason why she's so enamored by him, she thinks.

But now, being in the Riften marketplace without him, it feels so strange. Iris sighs sadly, moving to the next stall to stock up on arrows. She and Bryn were known as inseparable. Always seen together. Best friends. And now? She feels like she's forgotten something. Like she's gone trekking through a Draugr burrow and forgot to bring her sword.

"Thank you," she grins at the warrior, despite her scowl, stuffing the arrows into the quiver on her back.

"Yeah, yeah."

She checks off her mental checklist, moving to the last stall to stock up on potions. After buying a few archery, sneak, invisibility, and health potions, Iris decides that her bulging bag is ready for Irkngthand. Hoisting it higher up onto her cloak-covered shoulder, she heads to the Riften gates. She agreed to meet Bryn in the Nightingale Sanctuary and wait until night to head to Irkngthand. She only hopes that no thieves happen to be outside the gates at that time. She feels eyes upon her as she reaches the gates, and sure enough, Sapphire steps out of the shadows.

"Gods, you scared me," Iris tells the dark-haired thief, pressing her hand over her heart.

"Where are you off to?" Sapphire asks.

"Where else? Trying to find out where that bastard went."

"Do you have any leads?"

Iris shakes her head dejectedly. "I wish. I can't believe he stole from us. Everything. Plus he also tried to kill me. He's on my shit list for sure."

Sapphire chuckles. "Mine, too. Listen…I heard about you and Brynjolf." She shakes her head. "It doesn't seem fair. I mean, I get where they're coming from, but you aren't Karliah, and he isn't Gallus. And Mercer is out of the picture for now. Just…be careful, okay? I'd hate for you to get kicked out of the Guild. You're the best damned thing to happen to it in forever, and if we lose you? The Guild would suffer."

Iris shakes her head. "We aren't seeing each other. We've always just been friends."

Sapphire grins. "Sure you are. Just be careful. And good luck looking for Mercer. Gods know we haven't had much yet."

Iris says her goodbyes and leaves the city, heading to the Hall.

—

He's sitting on the stone bridge when she enters the Hall, his legs dangling over the churning water.

"Delivery!" she calls out, setting her full bag down with a slump.

"Damn, did you buy everything in the market?" he laughs, as she joins him on the bridge.

"Just about. I think I got everything. Potions, arrows, extra daggers…we should be good." She leans her head on his shoulder. "I ran into Sapphire on the way out."

"Oh?"

"She said that she didn't agree with what Vex and Delvin did."

"You didn't give anything away, did you?"

"Of course not, Bryn. Sapphire is a terrific liar. It's just sad that we can't trust them anymore."

"I know." He winds his arm around her shoulders.

"Do you think…after we kill Mercer and I become Guildmaster…do you think we'll be allowed to see each other outside the Guild? Or would that be considered abusing my power?"

She watches his face furrow in thought.

"I'm not sure, lass. It might not be a good idea to lift our little ban right away. But maybe eventually."

"It's so stupid."

"I know."

"What will we tell them after we kill Mercer? Surely they won't kick us out the Guild for going to kill him?"

"It's Guild business. It shouldn't count as seeing each other outside the Guild."

She nods.

"We better get some sleep in before we head out. Nine hours of walking straight into a Dwemer ruin? We'll need all the energy we can muster."

She follows him into the private quarters, settling in on one of the beds. "Good night."

"Sleep well, love."

Brynjolf awakens right as the sun sets below the horizon. He blearily shuffles to Iris's bed, gently shaking her awake.

"Iris."

She hums quietly, pulling the blankets over her head.

Chuckling, he uncovers her, stroking her hair.

"Wake up, sleepy head."

"I didn't realize how tired I was," she mutters against her pillow. She pries one eye open. "Is it time?"

"Aye."

She sighs, sitting up. "Fine."

"Karliah," Iris greets the Dunmer, panting and wiping blood off her sword. Her voice echoes throughout the halls of Irkngthand.

"Mercer's been here. I hope we aren't too late," Karliah tells them seriously.

"Those bandits back there…"

"I found them like that. Mercer's doing. We have to catch up to him before it's too late. "If he gets a hold of those Eyes, we'll never see him again."

Iris places a comforting hand on her arm. "We'll find him. Come on."

"We should tread carefully," Brynjolf says. "I wouldn't be surprised if he's left behind a few surprises for us."

The Trio sneaks through the massive ruins until they come to a half-moon surface, surrounded by golden bars looking out into an immense cavern.

"Wait a moment…" Karliah sneaks up to the edge. "What's that? It's Mercer! Look…down there."

Iris follows her gaze, finding Mercer stealthily approaching an unsuspecting Falmer.

"I'm on it," Brynjolf disappears from view, no doubt looking for a way to get down there. "Damn it. There's no way through."

Iris watches Mercer stabs the Falmer with his golden sword. "He's toying with us."

"He wants us to follow," Karliah spits.

"Aye. And we'll be ready for him." Brynjolf approaches the two women. "Let's keep moving."

Iris considers herself to be a sort of expert on maneuvering through ancient ruins. She's been to countless ruins in search of Dragon Priest masks and new Thu'ums. She's used to diving into the depths of long forgotten civilizations. Which is why she's so surprised when she is forced to take another health potion to keep herself from falling to her knees in exhaustion. Draugr are one thing. Falmer, Dwemer contraptions, and Chaurus are a whole, new story.

"You okay, love?" Bryn asks, gripping her arm.

"Yeah, fine." She shakes her head, gripping her sword. "This is harder than I thought it'd be."

"Aye. I agree. Take a second to catch your breath. We don't want to overdo it."

"Yeah. I thought this would be easier. Like I collect Dragon Priest masks. It's hard, but not like this. And—" Iris's voice is cut off when a rumbling shakes the ground, stones falling from the ceiling. She barely pushes Bryn out of the way in time, a boulder crashing down where he was standing.

"He must be collapsing that tower!" Karliah shouts.

Iris coughs as the dust settles, coating her hair.

"By the Nine, lass. You saved my life," Bryn pants.

"You saved mine," she quips back, smiling. "Okay. Let's get back to it." She eyes the fallen tower. "Looks like we can't go that way anymore. Damn Mercer to Oblivion."

The Nightingales continue on their way, fighting through hoards of Falmer and even a Dwarven Centurion. They all need a breather after that one. After the battle, Iris nurses her side gingerly; the blasted contraption had decided to swing its enormous arm at her, hitting her right where her new scar forms and sending her flying across the cavern, her back slamming into the hard stone. She struggles to her feet, wincing and downing another health potion before handing two more to her companions.

"I fucking hate this place."

Bryn can't help but chuckle, accepting the potion and drinking it quickly.

"You're not the only one," Karliah agrees. "But I think we're almost there."

"How can you tell?" Bryn asks, his brow furrowing.

She shrugs. "I don't know. I can just…feel it."

Suddenly, Iris gasps. "Karliah." She points to the Dunmer's side, droplets of blood splattering onto the ancient stone.

Karliah gasps, as if suddenly noticing the pain. She lets out a moan as she falls to her knees, her arm wrapped around her side.

While Bryn crouches down beside Karliah, Iris rummages around in her bag for a roll of bandages.

"Here." She wraps the Dunmer's side and gives her another potion.

"That damned thing must have hit me, and I was too focused to notice."

"Are you alright?" Iris's eyes widen in worry.

Karliah nods as Bryn helps her to her feet. "Yes. Though I'm afraid I may not be much help in defeating Mercer. I'm okay to continue, but I may not fare well in a fight against him."

Iris watches her, her eyebrows furrowed. "I hate to say this, but maybe you should wait at the entrance for us. I don't know what lies ahead but—"

"He's close. I'm certain of it," Karliah interrupts her. She sighs, closing her eyes. "I fear you're correct, Iris. As much as I would love to partake in our revenge scheme, I am in no fit state to do so."

"We'll avenge Gallus for you, Karliah." Iris places a hand on her arm.

She nods. "I suppose this is Nocturnal's will." She meets eyes with them both. "Be careful. If you aren't at the entrance in an hour or two, I'm coming back in to look for you, alright?"

The two lovers nod.

"Shadow hide you."

Iris watches as Karliah starts back to where they came. "We can't let her down, Bryn."

"We won't." He gestures to the stairs leading downward and follows Iris down them. "This is it. We do this for Gallus and for the Guild." He meets eyes with her. "Ready?"

"Let's do it." And Iris pushes the golden door open.

Mercer is so close! What will happen when they finally face him? Hmmm...

Thank you all so much for reading! Special thanks to Lydia, Guest, and Mossywind for the reviews! If you haven't yet, please favorite, follow, and review! Until next time! :)