I stomped back into the inn and made my way to the Altmer, still holding on to any last hopes of life.

"Where's Mercer and Enthir?!" I yelled at him, unsheathing my sword.

"Go to hell," He said faintly, the blood building up in his throat barricading his airways.

"Tell me," I paused, unsure whether or not he'll call my bluff, "And I'll save you. I've practiced in the school of restoration."

He looked into my eyes, fears of death overcoming him as he fell for my lie.

"They're in Mercer's hideout, in Irkngthand," He groaned, aching in pain as the wound grew deeper, "P-Please, help me..."

"Why would he keep him alive?" I asked, ignoring his pleas.

"I don't know! Something about a journal, please, I beg of you," He reached out his hand to me, "Please."

I shook my head in disappointment, "You think I'd have the patience to study in a school of magic?" I grinned, "Thanks for the information."

I pulled the spear out as he fell to ground, shrieking in pain. I took a grip on the handle and sent it flying down, piercing his torso as he let out his final screams. "You should never trust the Dragonborn."

I turned to look at Karliah, "At least we got something out of this," I said as I helped her up off the ground, "Are you going to be okay?"

She shook her head, "You're becoming something I had hoped you wouldn't be."

"What are you talking about?"

"You're becoming a monster, and you don't even realize it," She said flatly, "All this power is going to your head."

"What? Just because of my little show back there?" I scoffed, "I'm sorry I'm not as calm and laid back as you are, Karliah. But I'm going to stop at nothing to track Mercer down. And if it means cracking a few skulls to get there, I'm not going to oblige."

She let out a sigh, not arguing with my logic. "Now what?" She asked, "Are we heading to Irkngthand?"

I shook my head, "No. We won't be able to take him on with just the two of us. Chances are he'll have more of his bandit friends at his side. We need the Guild to have our back."

"We can't go back without that translator."

"Well then, it looks like we're heading to Markarth to speak to Calcelmo about this translator of his."

"Don't bring up Enthir. He's obviously not on the best terms with the people here," Karliah explained as we stood outside the doors to the Understone Keep.

I nodded my head, "And maybe it'll better if you let me talk to him," She finished as she pushed open the doors.

I shot her a glare, "And why's that?"

"Because you don't really know how to make people feel… comfortable. And we need Calcelmo to be on our side."

I rolled my eyes, "Whatever. But if he puts up an argument, then I'll have to take care of him," I said jokingly as we made our way into the keep.

"Do you know where we can find Calcelmo?" She asked as she walked up to a guard.

He scoffed as he pointed to a room to his left, "Watch your back."

"Why-"

"Why do the gods choose to torture me like this!" Came a shout from the room, cutting her off.

"That's why. Old man hasn't exactly been himself lately," He laughed, "Now get out of my way, I'm on duty." He continued as he walked away.

"This'll be fun," I groaned as we made our way to the room.

"Remember,"

"I know, I know. I keep my mouth shut while you turn on your charm," I said, finishing her sentence, "Let's just get this over with."

The room turned out to be a vast hall, but nothing other than an arcane enchanter, alchemy lab and books occupied the room, an old man going berserk in the corner, his neck up in papers.

"Calcelmo, I'm guessing?" She asked wearily.

His eyes shot up at us, "What? Who are you and what do you want?" He asked, shielding a book he was reading as he inched closer towards us, his guard up.

She brought her hands up in front of her, showing that she wasn't a threat. "We could really use your help. My name's Karliah, and this is Aela," She said, gesturing to me.

"The… Dragonborn?" He asked, his eyes widening as he began to step back, "Get away from me!" He shouted, bringing his hands over his head, "I have nothing of value here. Please, now leave!"

I rolled my eyes, great… I was about to step forward when Karliah brought her hand out to me, instructing me to stop, "I'll take care of him."

"Calcelmo, we aren't here to hurt you, we need help with transcribing something. And word is you have the only translator in Skyrim," She said to him.

He looked up from between his fingers that were shielding his face, "What translator?"

She sifted through her bag, bringing up Gallus' journal. "This book is written in the Falmer language, and we need it translated. I'm in dire need here, Calcelmo," She pleaded, turning on her charm as she handed him the book, "Please?"

He skimmed through the book, "It'll take me a while to decipher it. I could always get you a copy of it though. For the right price of course, shouldn't be too difficult…" He said, trailing off into his thoughts as he looked back up. His eyes darted straight towards me.

"But how do I know she won't try anything?" He asked.

"You have my word Calcelmo," She said, "Aela won't lay a finger on you."

"Hey!" I interrupted from behind her, "I'm not some gods-forsaken threat, thank you very much," I scoffed.

"I've heard stories otherwise," He muttered on his breath.

"What did you say?" I said, stepping closer towards him. Karliah brought her hand up to me, but I shoved it away as I brought my face up to his, "Who told you about me anyways, huh?" I asked, bringing my hand up to my sheathed sword.

"Get back!" He spat, "Or I'll call the guards!"

"Who. Told. You?" I asked again, stretching out every syllable as I glared my eyes, "Try calling for your guards, and I'll kill you where you stand."

Karliah placed her hand tightly on my shoulder, "Enough," She said angrily, pulling me back behind her as she turned to look at me.

"What in oblivion are you doing?!" She whispered in a shout as she brought us a few feet away from him, "I told you to keep quiet – We need him on our side," She continued as she spoke under her breath.

"I want to know how he found out about me being Dragonborn!"

"Please," She said, letting out a sigh, "Can't that wait for now? Mercer is out on the run, and Brynjolf is gods know where. The faster we finish here, the faster we can get back to the Guild. Isn't that what you want? To see Brynjolf again?"

I brought my head down as I crossed my arms, "...More than anything…" I whispered.

"Then we need Calcelmo as an ally, not an enemy, correct?"

I nodded my head as I looked back up, "Alright," I said in defeat as I walked up to Calcelmo, who was glaring at us as he huddled in a corner, "I'm sorry for my outburst," I said as I forced a smile, "And I'm sure we'd both appreciate it if we could move on from the situation."

He looked at Karliah before standing back up, straightening out his robes. He walked up to her, ignoring me as he spoke, "I have what you need, but you'll have to do something for me first - which you really should've expected after that outburst by your Dragonborn friend."

I rolled my eyes again, forcing myself to keep silent as he continued to speak. "There's a woman…"

I laughed under my breath, obviously knowing where this was going. He shot me a glare as I bit my lip from laughing and gave him a sarcastic, reassuring nod.

He shook his head as he turned back to Karliah. "As I said… There's a woman, Faleen... She works here in Understone Keep. I've been watching her from the shadows. I've been yearning for the day we will speak, but quite honestly… I'm a nervous wreck when it comes to speaking to women-"

"What a shocker," I scoffed.

"Keep quiet, will you!" He called out, "If it wasn't for this Dunmer here, I would have had your sorry ass put in Markarth's prison by now, you hear me?!"

I brought my hands up in defeat as Karliah shot me a 'keep your mouth shut' look.

She look back at Calcelmo, ushering him to continue.

"Yes. Well, the only way we could move further in deciphering this book of yours is if you could learn more about her, perhaps find something that I could use to my… advantage – for me to be able to muster up the strength to talk to her," He continued shyly, his cheeks turning a light rosy color from embarrassment.

Karliah nodded, not needing further explanation as she turned to me, "Let's get going."

There were a thousand witty comments running through my mind, but I kept my lips sewn shut as we walked out of the room. This was the only way were going to track Mercer down - and more importantly, see Brynjolf again. And if it meant tracking down a complete stranger that we have no knowledge of, and making her fall in love with this old stick-in-the-mud that she's never even spoken to, then so be it.

Because no matter what it takes; we will see each other again. We will embrace again, We will be together again.

As promised, a longer chapter :). Please review, they are always appreciated.