Gallus knocked on the wooden door. An effort had been made to white-wash the home but the paint was chipping from the harsh sea winds. Underneath the whitewash the wood itself had a salt crusted upon it. This should be the right home, the last few times they had met it had been at the inn. Or their first meeting at the college... when Gallus tried to rob the Bosmer mage. He grinned at the memory. How he pointed out an inaccuracy regarding Enthir's alchemy calculation. Just as he was discovered, purse in hand. The comment caught the mage by surprise, and sparked a heated discussion. Afterwards they became fast friends.
The door opened, and a fire silhouetted the wood elf's frame. Warmth started to seep out from the warm home. Enthir wore a blue robe trimmed with grey, the edges slightly fraying. Several ink blots marred the sleeves. The wood elf looked around and behind Gallus before embracing him in a hug. It was a surprising gesture from the man, but it had been almost a year since Gallus saw him last. The wood elf murmured under his breath. "You were followed." Gallus felt his body tense, he hadn't heard or seen a soul on his travels.
"Let's go inside then." He replied and stepped inside the small home. It consisted of one room, with a large bed and nightstand in the corner. An unlit candle rested its own puddle of wax on the wooden nightstand. A single table with two chairs was central to the living area, although the second chair had at least ten books with numerous loose parchment hanging from them. The fire crackled warmly, and a covered iron stewpot hung over the flames; the scent tickled his nose. It smelled spicy and of tomatoes. And along the rest of the walls were bookshelves, filled to the brim. Gallus should call it what it was, Enthir's own private library. A small dark couch was placed between the bookshelves, and it was cleared of all parchment and tomes. A rust-colored pillow that had seen better days laid limply against the couch arm. Gallus positioned himself next to the door and unburdened himself from his pack. He had his blades in hand moments later.
Enthir's eyebrows rose accusingly "So you don't know who that person is out there."
"No. Did you get a good look at them?" Of all the mer races, it was rumored that the Bosmer, or Wood Elves, had the best eyes of them all. Although all three of the mer races had significantly better eye sight or hearing than man did.
"It was hard to make them out being in the shadows. Did you happen to steal from the wrong person? Should have made a joke on their studies." Enthir quipped. He rolled back his sleeves and a purple current started to snake across his pale russet skin.
Gallus shook his head defensively. "You'll be expelled from the college. Let me try to handle it without bloodshed. Or at the very least I'll be chased from Winterhold and we'll have to meet in Windhelm." Enthir rolled his dark copper eyes.
"As if the school has more information than what I've read and collected already. Sometimes I envy your life, on the run. Being a true explorer. But I wouldn't be able to take all my books with me." The Bosmer sighed sadly. "I can help you though." The current changed to the color of a summer sky, and size of a jazby grape. Enthir's long fingers clasped together and he pushed the small sphere from him. Gallus didn't see the orb any longer but had a feeling something changed. It felt as if he wore a second leather jacket around his person. "I have tested it out a few times before, it's a small shield that will deflect any damage for exactly one minute. I'll watch from the door."
Gallus nodded, opened the door, and pressed his back against the wooden wall. The wind from the sea had picked up and he blinked his eyes a few times. His eyes adjusted to the darkness and he focused across the street. No one was in the alley. Eyes darting, he looked for where else they could be. Cautiously he stepped into the street. He heard his leather gloves creak as he gripped his blades tightly. He pivoted while searching for the stranger. The Winterhold patrol had not passed recently, they were making their way near the middle of town. Enthir held the door open a crack, the light of the fire spilling around him and onto the ground. There were many foot prints, crisscrossing to different destinations. Gallus searched and found his own prints leading up to Enthir's home. And another set, deep in the snow. Enthir himself if he had to guess. He knelt and studied Enthir's print, there was a faint smaller print within it. Had he not knelt he wouldn't have detected it. Following the prints, it led to the door and then around the side of the home. The prints would be gone in no time from wind and snow. He sheathed his swords and rubbed his chin with a gloved hand.
Clever girl. Gallus didn't know if he wanted to laugh or grind his teeth. Most of all he felt affection bloom for her in his chest. Why had she followed? He'd find out. Standing in front of Enthir he spoke quietly. "Come out. I know you're here." The distant sound of waves answered his words for several moments. Then, a faint crunch of snow to his right alerted him to her. Karliah stepped from the shadows of the home. Her eyes darted accusingly to Enthir who still stood in the doorway. His jaw hung slightly agape. "Enthir allow me to introduce you to my subordinate Karliah." Gallus held his hand out and she gingerly placed hers in his. She moved into the light of the open door and blinked a few times.
The Bosmer's jaw closed with an audible snap. "Karliah. The pleasure is all mine. And… your eyes!" He coughed into his hand. "I'm sorry, forgive me. I have never seen eyes like yours in our kind. Both of you come in, I have enough for all of us." Enthir ushered her in before them, and copper eyes shot a curious look to Gallus. The moment didn't last long as the Bosmer motioned to her to sit at the couch and then retrieved the carved wooden bowls from above the hearth. Scooping some of the stew into the bowl he served them. Gallus sat on the other side of the couch, leaving Enthir to the sole vacant chair. The Bosmer pulled the wooden chair closer to them and cradled his stew in his lap. It was full of tomatoes as Gallus guessed, in addition to beans, hot peppers and shredded chicken. It was spicy and very hot. But after walking in the cold it was welcomed. He blew on each spoon full before eating and appreciating the dish. Spicy foods were not typical Nord fare. This must be a dish from the Bosmer's homeland of Valenwood.
Gallus looked to his friend. The Bosmer sat motionless, clean spoon still raised in his hand. Enthir's eyes were locked on Karliah, as if she was some rarity he had never seen before. Gallus glanced over at her through the corner of his eye. Karliah's hair was wind-torn and loose strands hung astray from the normal collected braid. Her face flushed from the cold. And she ravenously ate her soup, despite it being piping hot. She sniffed every so often as she shoveled the food into her mouth. He couldn't feign concern seeing her eat that way. Yet how did she find him? Mercer did not know of Enthir or his destination. Had she followed the whole time? He broke his gaze and looked to the Bosmer mage. Copper eyes inquisitively met his. Enthir spoke suddenly, unsure at first but his voice became committed. "I... uh, I wasn't expecting the both of you, but let me run to the inn and buy some additional supplies, I'll be back in just a few minutes." Karliah's cheeks darkened and opened her mouth to speak but Enthir shushed her and threw on a woolen overcoat. "Don't you worry; a friend of Gallus is a friend of mine." He took her empty bowl and gave his own untouched soup. "I'll be back soon." Enthir opened the door, and chilly air swirled the embers in the hearth before the door closed behind him.
Karliah stared at the soup in her hands and avoided his eyes. He made his voice gentle. "Karliah, how long have you been tailing me? Do not lie. Mercer doesn't know who Enthir is or where I was headed to."
Her eyes flashed at him for a moment. As quickly as the anger arrived it receded. Her face fell and she mumbled. "I wouldn't lie to you. And I saw you leave Riften. I took what I had and followed you in the forest. When the forest thinned and it became snowier I had to follow you from further away." She had not prepared for the journey at all. No wonder she ate this way.
"Why did you hide from me? And why did you follow me?" Her company would have been welcomed.
She stiffened. Karliah spoke quietly, and it was a near whisper at the end. "I thought you'd send me back to Riften. I thought… you could use someone to watch your back." Karliah's face darkened and she looked into her soup, but not really seeing it.
Why would she be embarrassed about that? It was a noble reason, and he may have suggested that she go back. But deep down would have hoped she'd stay. "The thought may have crossed my mind but I wouldn't have minded your company. Did you not sleep at all last night?"
"No." The spoon trembled as placed it back down into the soup bowl. Karliah had watched him night and day. Even though she had packed next to nothing to take care of herself, she persisted on her watch. In case wild animals or bandits attacked him.
The thought struck him like a slap in the face. He couldn't breathe. She wasn't embarrassed, she was scared and anxious. This was about Dralsi. And now it was about him. A lump grew in his throat. "Karliah." His voice rasped. "Were you afraid I wouldn't come back?". She closed her eyes tightly and her lips became a thin line. She nodded. He set his empty bowl down and moved closer. His arm reached around her thin frame. She was shaking like a leaf. Awkwardly he rubbed her back. "Karliah... Thank you for doing that, it was selfless. I'm glad you came to ensure I would make it." He pulled her brown wind-torn hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear. A wet trail had left its mark on her dusky cheek. She blinked looking down at her soup, and another tear escaped. "I didn't know you… would worry that much." He took his thumb and brushed the wetness away. She took a ragged breath and her hand returned to holding her soup bowl steady in her lap. "After following me... please at least eat some more to regain your strength." He begged softly.
Her amethyst eyes stared, unfocused. "I was following you before I knew it. I felt compelled. I couldn't stop." She started to eat mechanically. Her appetite returned after a few bites.
"You weren't wrong. You have to follow your intuition sometimes, especially since we're thieves." He continued to rub her back and she began to relax, the tension dissolving. Shadows help him, he wanted nothing more than to hold her right then. The door slowly creaked open, and Enthir walked in with a gust of cold wind at his back. His arms were full so Gallus stood and helped him with the burden. The man purchased an extra loaf of bread, sausages, ale, potatoes and several sad apples. After making room on the table for the additional food, he opened two bottles of ale for them. Karliah shook her head at the offer of ale.
Enthir took a sip and cut himself a piece of the sausage. "Well, I got your message a few days ago that you'd be coming here. I haven't seen you in a long time, almost a year. I assume you have questions for me. What did you want to pick my mind on?" He popped the sausage in his mouth and looked expectantly at Gallus.
"I would have visited sooner but things change. I'm the new guild master-" Enthir's face lit up.
"You! A guild master! You are the smartest thief! I wish I had known; I wouldn't have bought this swill to celebrate with". He raised his green ale bottle to Gallus. Gallus clinked his own bottle and they drew deeply.
Gallus wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "I'm trying my best, my mind just doesn't stop anymore. But I need to find out what you know about the Eyes of the Falmer."
Enthir furrowed his brows. "Eyes of the Falmer. Rumored to be one of the greatest treasures in all of Skyrim. Sadly, I probably know only a little more than yourself. I have several books here on the Dwemer which may have some information. I can also run to the college and ask for any that they have." Gallus nodded, it was as he feared. "There is a man though who is trying to be the authority on the Dwemer. His studies may have brought him additional knowledge on the Falmer since their histories are entwined. But I heard he is the absolute worst to work with, conceited, and suspicious."
"Let's see what we can find here before having to resort to him." A deep sigh sounded behind him. Gallus turned in his chair; Karliah had fallen asleep on the couch. Her head rested in the crook of her arm, her face peaceful.
Enthir spoke tenderly. "She can sleep in the bed and I will sleep on the couch tonight. I realized earlier something was amiss with her eating as quickly as she was…"
"You're correct. She followed me the whole way from Riften. She was afraid that I could have been killed by bandits." He felt conflicted. Pain that she worried about him to the point that she went without sleep and nourishment. But that she had cared and worried about him, it was endearing. And wrong for him to feel that way. He deserved to rot in Oblivion.
He must not have masked his emotions well since Enthir replied, with more than a touch of amusement in voice. "You care about her, don't you?" The Bosmer's smile didn't fade after he spoke. Gallus clenched his jaw.
"I can't. I'm the guild leader. It wouldn't be right."
"So you're going to torment yourself and her for the rest of your lives? She came all the way here, ill-prepared after you."
Gallus narrowed his eyes. "I'm sure her feelings will fade as time goes on. She's young." He took a long draw of the ale. The Bosmer joined with a sip of his own drink.
"And your own?" Enthir's grin was toothier than normal.
"They don't matter." The words tasted bitter.
The Bosmer's face fell at the tone. He swirled his ale and gazed into the bottle before speaking pensively. "You only have one life Gallus. Enjoy everything while you can. Or you will end up old like me. Surrounded by snow, ice and dusty tomes."