Gallus walked quietly behind her in the Ratway, it was mid-morning when they arrived back in Riften. They left Markarth three days ago, immediately after finding Calcelmo's journal. The Altmer would single them out as the possible culprits. They caught up with a caravan outside of town and joined them briefly on the journey. Even though the wagons and guards had a less than optimal pace through the Reach, they encountered no Forsworn. When they arrived in Whiterun, Karliah and himself replenished their supplies and made their way back to Riften. It was too soon to say if their trip was a success. He poured over the journal every chance he had. Calcelmo himself had very few legible notes, most of it was the Dwemeris and the strange script that was present on the stone slab. He'd need to study the Dwemeris language again and the strange markings to see if the characters matched up at all. Gallus couldn't guess how much time he would need to decipher it all. Strangely, he equally felt excited and disheartened at the prospect of pursuing over the journal. Did it hold anything valuable?

Karliah pushed the door to the Ragged Flagon and Gallus spied Mercer sitting at a table alone. His face jerked up to theirs. The man stood and waited for them to cross the smaller cistern. In his hand he had a few letters, visibly mangled. Mercer shot her a questioning look before turning on Gallus. "You should have told me you were going to have her come with you. I only received this letter this morning that she joined you. I've been looking for her along with Brynjolf, Dirge and a few others." The tone was accusatory along with the tightness around his eyes.

Mercer's tone made him stand straighter. Gallus couldn't help the chill in his voice. "It wasn't planed and I didn't know she followed until two days after I left. But she was useful. With her help we were able to sneak into a scholar's laboratory and find a large stone tablet with Dwarven script and another that I need to decipher."

Mercer clenched his jaw and eyes burned with a smoldering fire. Where did this insolence come from? He sent word back, and most likely it was delayed due to snow or other inclement weather. Karliah broke the silence, her voice heavy with concern. "Mercer. I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was leaving but it was all of a sudden. I'm sorry to make you worry."

The Breton blinked and turned away before muttering. "It doesn't sound like you found anything regarding the Eyes anyway."

This is not what Gallus expected to come back to! He wanted to just read the journal, found out what it said and plan for the next heist. Not deal with Mercer's attitude. "Karliah, can you excuse Mercer and I? Maybe find Dirge and Brynjolf to let them know you're back." He regretted how cold his voice sounded but his frustration with Mercer overshadowed the small feeling.

She bit her lip, but nodded and left for the Cistern with her pack and bow. Waiting until he heard the door shut he rounded on Mercer. "What has gotten into you? I sent you that letter nearly a week ago. The currier only walks so fast. And despite Karliah not letting you know her plans is not of a concern to you. Dralsi wouldn't show for weeks at a time and you didn't bat an eye."

Mercer's face darkened as he spoke, and as Gallus finished the Breton sighed and shook his head. "I was worried and concerned. Did you know she hadn't ever killed before? Did you see her after, panicking as she nearly collapsed?"

Karliah reacted that way? It tore at his heart, imagining her upset. Gallus lowered his voice. "I didn't know before she left with you but she told me after." Maybe he was reading this all wrong. Maybe from all the recent travel, long days, and fear if this translation held nothing was eating at him. "We need to work together as a team and trust each other. I trust Karliah and so should you. She followed me because she was afraid that I would meet the same fate as Dralsi... we're all she has now Mercer."

The Breton closed his eyes and sighed, and his shoulders slumped. He handed him one of the letters. "You're right. I know I am your second but there are parts of this position I do not enjoy. I met with Maven yesterday and she inquired to see if we had any connections in other cities to establish trading for her. Like I would know any of that! She was condescending and disdainful. She'd have nothing if it weren't for us! But I bit my tongue to her arrogance and said I'd review with you and let her know. This is on top of Brynjolf asking me nearly every day if I knew where Karliah was." There heat returned in Mercer's voice, but it wasn't directed at Gallus any longer.

Gallus bit his cheek to keep from smiling. As much as Mercer despised the woman, they were so similar. He briefly read the letter before folding it again. "I may have an idea for a business partner for her. Although I'll leave it up to her to see if she can do any political maneuverings to bend his arm to it. Blackmail is one thing, but she needs to forge her own alliances. I'll come with you when we discuss it with her. She will have to pay us for this information."

Mercer nodded, visibly relieved. "Gallus. Do you think what you have there could hold information to the Eyes?"

Gallus removed the journal and held it. The worn leather cracked slightly at the binding. Desire burned his finger tips to open the journal again and look at the strange brush strokes of alien script. "I don't know. I need to study it and find out. I am hoping that it is translatable and has something of value. It could be a recipe for all I know. But why would the scholar go to such great lengths to hide this?"

The Breton shrugged. "I'm no scholar, that's your expertise. But I can tell it's eating at you to find its secrets." A wolfish grin appeared on his face. "I'm going to Falkreath for a few days to visit a merchant's house and see if I can check up on Delvin."

Gallus took a moment to look around and held his breath to listen. They were alone. He spoke quietly and quickly. "Very well. Also whether this holds information for us or not, I want to go on some exploratory runs through the old cairns and Nord ruins. They may be looted but maybe not all of them. Just you, Karliah and I."

Mercer's eyes glittered and he swallowed. "You think we can overcome a Death Lord?" His voice rasped and it was thick with desire.

Gallus let himself feel the thrill of anticipation, and the picture of the three of them raiding the Nord crypts blossomed in his mind. He couldn't stop the smile from spreading on his lips. "We're thieves, not gods. Let's loot the place and leave before they even know what hit them."

The familiar smell of the Cistern wafted into her face as she closed the door behind her to the Flagon. Cool. Wet. Dripping water sounded it's own welcome to her. Yet her thoughts lingered. Mentally she couldn't stop thinking about how cold Gallus's voice sounded. The memory hovered around her like a biteme fly in the dead of summer. Only once before had she heard Gallus upset, and that was when he told her of the Nightengales. But now he sounded like he was trying to conceal his fury. Karliah frowned. She should have told Mercer at least that she was going; she was so reckless. But if she had, she would possibly have lost track of Gallus. Hopefully her apology would help smooth over any discussion they were having now. Sighing, Karliah deposited her bow and pack at her bunk before looking around the Cistern. Few thieves were present. None had red hair and surprisingly Brynjolf's bunk was empty. Her own bunk seemed to call to her but she resisted the desire to stretch and rest her tired limbs. Karliah didn't doubt Mercer's words that the young Nord was searching for her. Perhaps he was around Riften. She made her way to the ladder and pulled the lever that moved the stone slab before exiting.

Karliah pulled the lever again to close the slab before she heard footsteps distantly behind her on the sodden earth. Moving rapidly and louder every second. She only had moments to brace herself from almost being knocked over. Two arms wrapped around her and squeezed tightly. Had she not been blessed she probably would have fallen from the impact. The arms released her and spun her around. Brynjolf's red hair was ragged and damp around his features, and his chest heaved deeply. His eyes darted over her and words rushed from his mouth as he panted. "Karliah! Where in Oblivion did you go to lass? Mercer was looking for you and almost cuffed me when I said I couldn't find you. I've been trying to avoid him the last few days…" His last words were voiced sheepishly.

Her lips twitched into a grin, imagining Mercer growing frustrated with Brynjolf's lack of results and more likely his loud personality. "I'm sorry, I hope you can forgive me." Karliah wiped the smile off her face and swallowed. "I was waiting for you, when I saw Gallus leave. I joined up with him and we ended up looking for some information for his Grand Heists- "

"Did you find one?!"

"Let me finish!" She laughed and his cheeks turned crimson before he too laughed. Karliah gestured to the path in the cemetery and they began to walk along it. "I don't know if we found anything but we did find a journal with some weird text in it that a scholar hid. Gallus is working on deciphering it now. We don't know what it holds… " As long as his discussion with Mercer didn't lag, almost all of his time would be spent over that old leather book. Even on way from Markarth Gallus could barely contain himself, looking over it as they walked with the caravan.

Brynjolf rubbed his chin with a gloved hand. His beard was starting to fill in, and it did make him look older. "I just joined the Guild to have a place to stay, and have tasks to provide coin. But Gallus is serious about these Grand Heists... he's going to really increase our influence in Skyrim isn't he?"

Karliah nodded. "He really is dedicated; the guild is his number one priority."

"I've never been more proud than I am now to be a thief." His voice was full of conviction.

"Proud? Will you be making a grand proclamation in the square? Hopefully you have an escape planned." She grinned and the young Nord rolled his eyes.

"You know what I mean! But I had an idea while you were away lass. You've been showing me the bow-"

"I hope you've been practicing while I've been gone." She interrupted and he huffed loudly. "Go on." She teased. They stepped onto the planks, their steps sounding slightly on the wooden beams.

"Yes I have been practicing. And as I was saying, since you were teaching me the bow I figured I could show you how to fight." He looked at her expectantly.

"We can practice with blades if you want. I'm not as good as the bow but I manage…"

"No, no, no. I mean with your bare hands. When I was on the ships they taught us all in case we were disarmed. It's useful in case you find yourself in that position."

Admittedly, she had never thought of being without her blades or bow. The thought mirrored the uneasy feelings when she was forbidden to bring her weapons when seeing Calcelmo. It was a good idea, but she'd have to gauge and limit how much strength she used while practicing. "When do we begin?"

Authors Note~

Forgive me for not updating sooner, sadly I had some unfortunate events happen earlier this year which delayed my posting and writing. I am back and hope you will forgive my absence.