Karliah turned in the small bunk and she gazed over the Cistern. It was warm and dry under the covers and part of her didn't want to leave. She had woken hours ago but remained in her small bunk drifting in and out of sleep. There were some hushed voices of the other thieves socializing and the constant dripping of water. It must have been midafternoon. Her hand travelled to her face, and touched her cheek. "This won't happen again." Karliah felt the tear that he wiped away, a soft caress. Gallus was just being supportive of her, being someone she could count on. Now that she was alone. He mentioned before that he felt responsible to care for everyone in the guild.
Throwing back the linens and furs, she quickly threw on her leather vest over her tunic. Her fingers deftly weaved her hair into a hasty braid. She considered her bow and blades, and after a moment just holstered the latter. She'd walk around Riften and maybe up to her old home. Karliah felt no real desire to do much today. The day felt like a calm, when the forest was eerily quiet before a thunderstorm. Exiting through the cemetery she walked through the plaza where merchants attended their stalls. They didn't hawk their wares as adamant as they usually did, maybe because of the weather. The day complimented her. Overcast and misty. It wasn't particularly cold, but it was humid. A day that truly represented the change autumn brought. She paid for a sweet roll from the baker and continued out through the city gates. Licking her fingers from the glaze she walked aimlessly down the road that circled the lake.
The grey clouds started to make due on their threat, and light drops fell. Twisting her hair around itself, she pulled it to the side and pulled up her hood. The lake was full of ripples from the drops. Further away, two late fishermen were rowing hurriedly towards the docks. The gravel shifted under her feet as she continued. Karliah tried to walk like Gallus and Mercer. The different ways she applied pressure with her feet yielded no different results after several attempts. Her frustration melted away in the rain, there was nothing she could do to sneak better. The lake was fed by a small river that had an equally small stone bridge leading over it. Hopping on the rail she placed one foot ahead of the next, her arms out for balance. After the bridge, the road led to Ivarstead. Abandoning the road, Karliah followed the river to the lakeshore, the trees stretching high above her. She grew up in these woods. In the summer, they would have provided complete shade. Now the thinning canopy was adorned in shades of orange and yellow. Some leaves fell to join their brethren on the forest floor. The rain ceased and turned to mist again.
A very large maple tree, quite possibly a few hundred years old, stood solitary within the forest. Karliah had been here before. It too was losing its fight against the cold, as it did every year, and its red leaves littered the ground. She placed her fingertips on the tree. They traveled over the rough, wet bark, as she circled the tree to the far side. Karliah knelt and moved some damp leaves away and pulled back her hood. Looking up to the sky, the tree's foliage looked like tiny red stars against the grey clouds. She tucked her knees under her chin and wrapped her arms around them. The cool mist rested on her skin.
Next to her rested Dralsi.
Karliah said nothing for a long time, reflecting on her memories with her mother. The urge to speak forced her lips. "I moved from our home to be with other thieves. I didn't want to feel alone." She sighed. "I promised you I'd make you proud and be a great thief. So I did a task with Gallus and did really well. He is a good leader; I know he's been concerned about me since you died." She thought of the man for who he was. He was intelligent and doing his best for the guild. He was trying to be selfless.
The clouds had moved to the east and the sun already began its descent behind the mountains. Sunlight fractured through the forest and birds resumed their cries now that the threat of rain was finally gone. "After that, I did a task with Mercer." Her voice threatened to break but she took a breath. "Remember long ago when you said after we die, we stay looking after our loved ones? I like to think you helped me, to live another day."
"She's not wrong if she told you that." Karliah nearly jumped from the voice. Her pulsed race from the unexpected visitor. Gallus walked from behind the maple and in his hand held a nightshade flower. They bloomed near Riften and were all shades of violet. Karliah would pick them all the time when she was younger, and now that she was older she took pleasure in viewing them. Gallus wore his full leather attire, with holstered blades at his side. His hood rested on his shoulders providing view of his face. His beard was trimmed short and it gave him a rugged look. He still made no sound as he walked over the wet ground. He knelt and placed the bloom over Dralsi's grave. "I needed to talk to you, I hope you don't mind."
She shook her head, how long had he listened to her speak? Or knew where she was? Gallus must have phenomenal tracking skills as well, although she didn't try hard to hide her tracks. He sat next to her and pulled out a red apple, cutting it in half w/ a knife before giving it to her. She hadn't eaten except the sweet roll earlier and her stomach nearly embarrassed her with an audible reminder. She took a bite. It was the apple of autumn, crisp and ripe. The juice leaked down her chin before she wiped it with her sleeve. Gallus too took a bite and swallowed, then gazed into the forest. "I'm convinced that Dralsi protected you after Helgen. I wanted to confirm with Mercer but he is not due back for another day." He said nothing as he chewed. Gallus seemed pensive, and unsure what to say. Was he trying to comfort her? "Karliah, there is a lot I need to tell you and, I just need you to promise me you'll listen. I'll answer any questions I can when I am done."
His words and tone worried her. She felt as if an icy hand gripped her heart. There was nothing she could say except listen. "Of course Gallus."
Gallus took a deep breath. "Your mother was one of the best thieves I ever knew. And even more than that. She was a protector. She swore on her life to protect what I have also sworn to protect. And what Mercer has sworn to protect." He was making no sense, and his voice was tinged with apprehension. "I… I wasn't completely honest with you when she died." She stiffened and fear clawed from within her. "I wanted to tell you since that evening, but I am sworn to secrecy."
"How did my mother die?" The words rasped from her mouth. Her hands gripped onto her knees as if to hold herself together. Gallus moved into her vision, kneeling in front of her. His brows furrowed in concern, his blue eyes intently staring into hers.
"Karliah, I'll explain. Please know that it wasn't in vain. Mercer and I… we're Nightingales. We're sworn to protect Nocturnal and her sanctuary. So was your mother." The world heaved and her hands darted, clutching the soft soil below her.
"You're saying my mother worshipped a Daedra? Is… is this some sick joke?" She wanted to vomit, to cry, to slap him.
"A joke of this nature is cruel and you know I wouldn't do that. And Nocturnal doesn't require worship in the sense like other Daedra, where they revile in killing and gruesome acts. She wants protection of her sanctuary and in turn blesses her three guardians."
Three guardians. They were down to two. "You expect me to believe you. And join you." She spat. She brushed her dirty hands on her breeches. Karliah made the move to stand when Gallus's hand gripped her shoulder roughly, keeping her in place.
His blue eyes became intense and a cold fury filled them. His voice gained heat as he spoke. "I do. I admitted my lie and evaded the other questions you have had for me. Because I had to. I didn't want to lie to you. I wanted to tell you everything that night. Tell you that your mother died as she felt Nocturnal's sanctuary threatened. I gave her no task, she left abruptly to do her duty." He blinked and exhaled. His eyes became the ocean blue she was used to. "You are so smart Karliah. So clever, even more than you know. You want to know why Mercer and I are nearly inaudible when we walk? Because of our blessings. Acute senses, strength and dexterity. Things you haven't seen. Even not having to rest as much as normal person. All of these things are ours to command and use for what we will as long as we protect her."
Her memories flooded her mind with his words. Could it be true? Gallus released his grip on her and raked his fingers through his hair. His tone was empathetic. "Dralsi wanted nothing more than you to follow in her footsteps as a Nightingale. She trained you as hard as she did so you would, one day. When a Nightingale passes, their spirit remains to protect the sanctuary after death. And if Nocturnal deems that their contract has been fulfilled, they reside the remainder of their afterlife in the Evergloam. Even from there, those Nightingales protect us, guide us, all in the shadows."
This was too much, she felt overwhelmed. Her mother, never telling her about her true self. The fact that the Nightingales, a fairy tale, existed and included Gallus and Mercer. Both of them being incredible thieves, not only with sneaking but Mercer fighting the imposing bald bandit. The words were a whisper "You were testing me."
Gallus nodded. "Yes. That was the real reason for the tasks. That you had it in you to be a Nightingale."
Another question bubbled from within her. "What does she need her sanctuary protected for? What is inside it?"
His brows furrowed and he bit his lip. His voice cautious as he spoke. "I can't tell you that right now. Until you agree to become a full Nightingale. I will say, if you refuse and try to find out, you will not survive." His voice carried no threat, only concern. He truly didn't want her to find out what they were protecting without an oath. Was it evil? Could it destroy Tamriel? What had her mother been up to? Her own mother was a stranger.
The sun's final rays stretched above the mountains to the west, twilight was truly upon them. Stars peeked through the thinning foliage above, along with the strengthening moon. Karliah's voice was a whisper. "I… I don't know. This seems so bizarre yet, some of what you say makes sense. A Daedra… the Vigilants were right. What… what if I refuse?"
He nodded. "They are able to sense us. But we are not evil. At least not any more than any other thief. You have every right to refuse. However you will not be able to stay in Skyrim. I will provide you enough gold for a year." His voice sounded nervous. Even in the faded light, his eyes stared into hers, desiring an answer.
"Gallus…. I need some time." She looked down at her hands, clasped in her lap. Her mind felt like a tangle of creeper vines.
He wanted to say more, she felt that much from him. He stayed for a few minutes while neither of them spoke and finally got to his feet. His voice was tender and quiet. "I will be back at the Guild. If you decide to join us, meet me back here tomorrow two hours before twilight. Good night, Karliah."
He left without a sound.
The moon was at its apex in the night sky when Karliah stood and walked southward. There was a mountain range that separated Skyrim and Morrowind, and its foothills were rocky with more than a few cliffs. She thought of her mother teaching her the bow, how to fight with wooden blades. A half hour hadn't passed when she found the hot spring her mother and her frequented. She started to disrobe, her clothes damp from the earlier rains. She absentmindedly peeled off her shirt, but her memories plagued her. Picking locks and walking lightly. How to sneak. The first time she went on a heist with her mother, and succeeding. And every time after. Karliah slipped into the pool, the steam visible and drifting to the night sky. The warm water started to unknot her muscles but her mind kept on. Karliah analyzed every single second of her time with Mercer and Gallus. She felt compelled to relive every memory, looking for the clues that showed her mother's true self. Everything because of a Daedra. Her fingertips were wrinkly from the spring, and she exited and clothed herself. Her feet led the way, back to the cabin.
The sky had barely begun to lighten when she reached the small abode. Picking both of the locks, she went in. Kneeling, she lit the fire with flint and hung her clothes on the back of the chair to dry. Locking the door, she slipped between the furs and linens. Karliah still smelled the lavender, faint as it was. Yet her promise was still fresh in her mind. She would keep it.
Exhaustion washed over her with her decision and she fell asleep.