Petra POV but more Bryn feels.

Chapter 26
Reveal

The entire Cistern was thick with tension. No one knew what was going on and by the time Brynjolf recovered, the rest of the guild huddled around, while Bryn, Karliah, Vex, Delvin and me stood in the middle of the cister, trying suss it all out. You know, like reasonable beings?

They figured out who Karliah was and out right bled their hatreds against her with hardly saying a word, since speaking would end up turning the cistern into a bloodbath (Don't ask me how, it's just how it appeared) She was brave enough to stand inside a world that wanted to dismember her, while she used the power of her spirit to sort things out. She wasn't anxious, as she knew she had full blown proof that would clear her name.

Even so, with her saving my life I can support her with out a doubt, that everything that was known about her was absolutely incorrect. Besides the fact she was a thief, a dunmer and was in a relationship with Gallus. She held confidence and schemed for twenty-five years without giving up. She could trust me definitely. I'd be running around for nearly a year now. I don't even compare to the feats she's accomplished and she's had it way worse than I.

"So what's the proof you have Karliah, or I'll cut you down where you stand." Brynjolf said cooly.

It frightened me slightly to even hear him say that. I guess he wasn't sure what to believe. Either that, or he was acting as front for the others. It could be him, just bringing out his frustrations over the enduring of pain he'd just gone through. No...Karliah saved him. Surely he wasn't that ungrateful. Karliah, without pause, gave Brynjolf Gallus' translated journal and the look on his face when he was reading was astounding. His eyes had gone wide, he began to subconsciously shake his head...he honestly couldn't believe what he was reading.

"No...no...I've known Mercer too long." He muttered with such disbelief in his voice. I believed everything about it though. If Brynjolf wanted more proof, he only need to look at me. But the way he'd just become stiff like that, his face twisted was something I badly wanted to fix...to help him.

"It's all true. Every word of it." Karliah stated. Her tone of sureness. I wanted some of that.

They began to talk about Mercer's little secret. How he'd been stealing from the Guild for years.

I looked at Vex who suddenly went pale and appeared very ill. She knew. She knew all this time.

I held myself while giving her a brazing glare. She caught me and exchanged the same glance.

She knew. But...

Brynjolf got up to the part where Mercer apparently been stealing from the Vault for years. To my knowledge and what Delvin and Vex explained, was that they'd commissioned the best locks money could by. It required two keys. Mercer, Delvin and Brynjolf all one but it just needed two to enter.

"He didn't need to pick the lock." Karliah mentioned.

Delvin had no idea what she was going on about. They tested this theory on the Vault locks themselves. Delv went first, but the Vault was still locked up tight as a drum in his theory.

Brynjolf went next and put his key in then pushed opened the door. He wandered inside.

"It's all gone. Quick! Everyone in here!" Brynjolf announced with shock.

We all went in...all the gold...jewels and what ever other treasure was contained within had disappeared. All there was empty chests and a lot of steamed up thieves.

"That bastard! I'll kill him!" Vex cried, brandishing her dagger.

Again, Delvin ushered her to calm down. Often the only one who could.

Brynjolf looked at the rest of us with stern eyes. I could see the anger and fury within but he contained himself well enough. He particularly looked at Karliah and looked down, to his shame.

Mercer had manipulated them all. But Brynjolf took it the hardest.

He ordered the rest to continue to protect the Flagon, but with a new reason. By this time, our shouting had been so loud the whole Cistern joined in, sharing the same type of anger towards their Guild Master. We'd been robbed...irony this time, stung us hard.

But Bryn stood inside the Vault and tried to figure out what to do. Karliah and I stood with him as we worked out our next move.

"I'm sorry we don't have time for quick apologies now Karliah but we'll make amends once we find Mercer." Brynjolf told her, then looked at me.

I think...he knew. He wanted to know what happened before hand. It was obvious now that he suspected something had occurred at the Sanctum. But I'd never seen him so pissed off before. It was written in his rugged face but he was well about it, transfiguring it into a more practical resource.

"Do you have any idea where he might have gone?"

Karliah shook her head.

"No. He'd left the Sanctum after..."

All eyes were now looking at me. I kept my wits about me and faked my own confidence. But I wouldn't be able to hold the truth for long anyway. But now his eyes were pleading with me.

I know he once had total, blind faith in Mercer. Always had. Always was his loyal lapdog. He wanted Karliah dead but then again he wanted to see what my opinion was on the matter. The Journal or the Vault was not proof enough for him.

I didn't blame him. The whole ordeal seemed like nonsense. He could think that Karliah was still tricking them, forging the journal and with what ever dunmer magic she conjured to steal away from the Guilds' precious treasury.

Karliah knew as well, having a sad look on her face. She wanted me to tell Bryn, sensing the awkward prominence we were facing.

It's still too painful to speak of. And I'd worry what Bryn would do if I did tell him. Would he go out of his mind? Would he just go silent? Would he order the entire guild to look for him? He was unpredictable since the entire time I'd known him he was this calm, sensible type of man who just had his heart out for the Guild?

"I'll leave you two alone for the moment. I might scurry through Mercers' paperwork...could tell us something." Karliah said, turning around and walking off.

"Petra..." Bryn murmured. There he goes again. Using my name. I placed my hand on his face to let him know I was still here, but he turned away from me.

"I know you're confused right now. But...I know you don't want to believe what's being placed right in front of you, and you have every right to be unsure. You've known Mercer longer than most of us, Delvin probably has but we all know you were the closest to him. The fact you wouldn't know where he could be and that you're asking us suggests that Mercer would have never trusted any of you in the first place." I told him straight up. However long they'd been in the Guild as Master and Second-in-command, there wasn't too much personal communication. Just business and what ever else was deemed necessary for the Guild.

Brynjolf sighed and refused to look at me in the face.

"I just...would have not known Mercer would play us all for fools. The lad made sure the Guild would keep itself steady even through it's decline. And when I recruited you, there was still some linger of hope that our bracket would skim through it's darkest hour, eventually finding that silver lining. And we did."

He still refused to see reason on this. Brynjolf is one to have trustworthy people in an untrustworthy organisation. You could have seen this from any of the lowlives or the recruits still learning or just too stupid to follow the rules, and the ignorance would kill them. But coming from the Guild Master was just a shot in the stomach that no one saw coming.

Especially Brynjolf.

"Karliah is back and I don't know if she's playing us instead. How can we know?" Brynjolf questioned.

How dare he? Even after she'd helped him out back to the Cistern and assisted me in patching him up?

You know what? I pulled the man around and slapped him, surprising him for his just immaturity and stubbornness. I looked down. He was a Nord. Nords were known for their stubbornness. I guess there's only one thing to do.

"You may not trust Karliah, but you can trust me. Here."

I pulled up my armour and demonstrated the still healing wound on the left side of my torso while he was busy rubbing the red mark on his face.

Brynjolf had to squint at it. He wasn't sure but then something must have flashed before him and made him realise. His face changed again and it was wrenching me more.

"I'd gone to the ruins to find you. Or what ever was left of you. I saw the blood stain in the snow outside and a trickle on the inside. Is this what it was?" He'd asked, his once stable voice creaking with worry and concern.

I nodded slowly and dropped the armour.

"Mercer did this to me." I said outright...and there wasn't a better way to say it.

Brynjolf blinked. I don't know if he was expecting that type of response.

"Mercer...I."

I had to push through what ever the exhausting and painful memory of Mercer's...violations and make Bryn see reason and understand that Mercer must pay for he did. Not just to the Guild but...to me...

And to Tonilia...and to Sapphire and especially...to Vex.

Brynjolf grabbed hold of my shoulders to my surprise and stared me right in the face. His anger was mixed with his caution and anxious spirit. I suppose I should continue. Tears welled up in my eyes of course. I couldn't ignore the phantom pains the memories of it gave me. Again, this was not fear but the unholy perpetrations of a despicable man. I continued my struggle...tears were already falling down my face. It was just staring wide at him, not scrunched. I'd let them drop without being reluctant and hoping that may have been enough.

But Brynjolf came closer to me and wiped one of his my face with his thumb softly and slowly that I shivered underneath his touch.

"What...did...Mercer...Frey...do?" He asked me, his voice was low and his chin back to his chest, his look of need to know growing.

"I...he..."

I'd bit my lip and looked down. My right arm had dropped, while my left had grabbed my bicep as I rubbed it.

"He's...he...it's unspeakable Bryn...I...back talked him and...he snapped."

Brynjolfs face widened.

"You disobeyed an order?" He questioned. It sounded more...how you say it, softer than the anger you'd be used to when some higher up starts asking about it. His voice must have gone up a pitch or two.

"You wouldn't do so if you didn't have a legitimate reason? What did he want you to do lass, please...just..I don't mind if you have to sob...I'll let you cry. Did he hurt you? Did he...hit you?"

I nodded. He was getting it at least. I just bared the burn.

"Yes. I didn't know how a simple no or question set him off but..."

Brynjolf was being awfully inquisitive about it. If I'd tell him, I'd wager all the issues with me telling him should be proof enough as well as the emotional reactions I was having. No I wasn't doing this on purpose. I just wanted Bryn to open his eyes already...everything right now was just natural. But I told myself if this was what it would take...

"He made me feel weak...where in a situation I would have been strong. His nature was...dominant and overwhelming...uh...I...he'd knocked me to the ground and...I screamed your name...he told me you weren't there to save me. I'd pushed everywhere and...pulled everything off. He hit me, then used potions to heal me. Repeatedly. He...he...shouted at me...burned me...I couldn't do anything Bryn...I am so sorry...all I can imagine is those...sick, sick...groans and...I..."

It became too unbearable for me as I ran to the closest chest nearby and just hurled. The very image and thoughts twisted my stomach to no end. He ran over to me and helped me back on my feet after I was done. He turned me around and hugged me again, more tighter than usual. My gut churned greatly as he wrapped himself around me. But not as negatively as it had been prior. At least that wasn't making me chuck. I was more warm and pleasant.

"I think you've proven your point lass. No need to go on. It's my fault for not believing you and if I did I would have never forced you to go through that again...I didn't know. I'm the one who should be sorry." Bryn said with the most sorrowful tone I'd ever heard him speak in.

I eventually stopped sobbing as much as I could during that point where held me. I'd tried to convince myself that perhaps being as close as they were no one would have seen it coming regardless and all that time Karliah had been plotting to reveal the truth, clear her name and get it down fast to take Mercer down. To me it was simple, to Brynjolf, it must have been hard to see the signs. I could sense his guilt for not realising it sooner. He couldn't see anything but being blinded by trust and friendship. No...he was being lied to. The entire time. Pulled around and ordered. Following orders...

It kept him alive and rich for the time being but Bryn was more than happy to contribute. He was a pinnacle of the guild and quite frankly was one of the only ones doing a lot more work than anyone realised. But I had succeeded in showing him the error of his beliefs and wanted him to put his best foot forward to set things right again. I gave him a squeeze.

I then broke the hug, but Bryn was unsure to let me go. Poor guy. He'd been thrown in the lake without a boat or paddle. Sorry, bad metaphor there.

"You said you knew Mercer the most. Is there anything you may know or is there anything you know that he has we can possibly use against him or find his whereabouts? Surely there has to be something. You don't just do something like this without plotting an exit or some kind of...what ever."

Brynjolf tapped his chin and began to think. I was glad I was getting him to concentrate again...I know what it's like to get lost in the storm of disorder and to have no clue on what to do.

"Hmmm...I do know he has a house here in Riften. A gift from Maven after kicking the residents out. We could start there. It's Riftweald Manor. Be wary, it's being guarded by a brute named Vald...he was well acquainted with Vex, if you know what I mean..."

I chuckled at the very thought, but I knew that it'd give me the chance to speak with Vex about our common problems.

He then frowned again.

"But lass...he will pay for what he did to the guild...what he did to you. And...I'm so very sorry that I wasn't there when I should have been. He'd told me you died...then when I saw your face I knew he was wrong. I had a feeling you were still alive out there somewhere. I wasn't sure to believe him but...to be honest I was in a bit of a tingle as to what I had to do then. But thanks to you my eyes are open, things are more clear to me."

I pressed my palm on his face and felt through his rough beard and stubble. I gave him a warm smile.

"I said I needed you there...I'd called your name because...your name just makes me happy. It sounds so stupid that way...I dunno..."

Great I had to find excuses for yelling for him at the worst possible moment. But none of this was his fault. None of it. He was entangled in this mess. Mercer manipulated everyone, including Brynjolf. I needed him angry yes but I needed him to be himself while he was at it and not like me who loses herself to fear and rage.

"Aye...I have that impact on people." He joked with a teeth showing grin that I just died from...no not really. Just made me weak.

"In all manners of seriousness, your story...no joke, tore me to pieces. I couldn't just imagine him doing that and to you of all people. Just makes me so..ugh...but I won't rest until he's dead. By the Eight he will die. Now that I see things for how they truly are, I have a pristine, pure hatred for Mercer now, and yet, in all of that, I learned something about myself along the way."

He approached me yet again and held onto my hands and fiddled with my fingers while I felt the heat on my cheeks swell up and my heart sent aflutter. I noticed his face had gone completely red. He couldn't even make eye contact with me and I swore that I could hear him make stuttered whispers. I smirked. Silly man.

"Out with it then, we don't have all day." I called out to him, attempting to gauge what ever nonsense he had for me...

"Petra...I..."

"So I couldn't...find...am I interrupting something here?" Karliah said, upon finding us holding hands with a bemused expression on her face.

The both of us parted ways very quickly and remained on farce, straightened and vigilant and a bit embarrassed.

"No..no...we were actually thinking that we may be able to find where Mercer went. He has a house here in Riften that might have some sort of indication." Brynjolf spoke, clearing his throat.

Karliah nodded and crossed her arms. She had this look on her face that was just...suspicious yet entertained.

"Alright then. Shall I go over there?"

I butted in all of a sudden. Alleviate all the awkwardness.

"No I'll do it. Brynjolf needs to keep watch here. I think you need to speak to him about something as well. I can't say much else on the matter without bawling my eyes out. But I also believe it has the utmost critical importance. Believe me..."

Karliah and I looked at one another and understood. I had to do this. I knew I could do it. Everyone was out for his blood now but I was the only one right now who could..is it me being arrogant? Maybe? Perhaps? I don't know. Brynjolf became the Guild Master by default, or at least one in standing. My assumption anyway. But he had more things to worry about, like keeping the Guild under control. They trusted him more for direction and I was better off doing things on my own.

For now.

I felt bad with him bearing that burden, but this was definitely something I could do myself. I may have been broken but not totally destroyed. And I was adamant that I could get through this. This was not dragon related...for now but at least I could assist in getting things set out straight once and for all.

I'd left Karliah with Bryn in the Vault. We could have afterwards to discuss anything we wanted. He could handle ourselves but right now Bryn was getting most of the heat sent towards him. His shame and to him it seemed like a failure. Though you would have to remind him that entirety of the Guild would no longer take the traitor in and none of would dare, on my watch, blame Brynjolf for anything. If they did they would see the tip of one of my arrows. Probably one of my harsh ebony ones dipped in poison.

I know our partnership was kind of...and still is..twisted. Bryn means a lot to me. The way I became embroiled with an overprotective charm built from anger that set my heart racing every time he was in immediate danger. Maybe that was why I didn't want him to leave the Cistern.

He's very capable believe me. He was in a state of shock that Karliah and I could get him out of eventually...maybe not Karliah but I'd reassure him a thousand times if I had to. He'll be fine, I'm sure of it.

Though I was more self-centered in the beginning and in some ways, I still am. I'm a natural thief, what do you expect? But Brynjolf was my better centre. My inner, self-centre. And Gods be damned anyone else take that away from me. Not anyone, not even a dragon. Make no mistake Brynjolf will not be harmed, not while I still draw breath.

So he was safer for now. Yes, the irony still stands amongst us. I've had terrible things happen to me and though my heart would weep at the sight of Mercer and dragons alike, I can navigate myself through the hidden cracks and at one point I will find a means to discover more of myself and deal with the real issues head on. And in order for me to deal with the Dragons, I'd need the courage to defeat Mercer first and utilise that courage as a weapon. Somehow I was gonna do that, friend.

However before I left I spoke with Vex in private in the Flagon. She leered at me. I know that arrogant, bitchy front too well for her fool me with her uptight demeanour.

"You're getting your way for now." She told me, with venom in her tone.

I nodded at her.

"We all want to kill Mercer, Vex, but I know what you're going through." I told her.

"I honestly have no idea what you're talking about." Vex mentioned, rolling her eyes.

"I had it happen to me too. And I know Sapphire and Tonilia have gone through the same thing. None of you like to admit and it still terrifies me in that monster of a breton dares to have tread inside these walls and have his way with the females in his guild." I told her left, front right and centre.

And I saw the snap in her eyes. She knew. She still knew.

"We would have warned you. Females don't exactly get the privilege of leading a lot down here. Mercer was and still is a massive narcissist and a huge, chauvinist. Sapphire heard him mention once or twice that he was going take Haelga away and basically, dig her worship of Dibella out of her and replace it with his God of Domination...what ever that meant."

I blinked. That was...strange.

"But he did...have his way with you?" I queried. Not exactly something I wanted to answer myself but this was important.

Vex sighed and rubbed her forehead.

"Yeah once. I recall it as being extremely degrading and...the image is still surprisingly vivid."

I nodded. It must have been. If it was still fresh in my mind, then it may still linger there in times to come.

"But his power couldn't be ignored you know, like he was possessed by something. I can't admit it was entirely bad. I'd struggled at first but ended up submitting after realising how good it was. Then he made me swear never to say this to anyone, or else my head would roll of its shoulders."

It made me sick. But then again...this had happened with me as well. So forgive me if I go off again...

The power, the struggle...the release. Painful with that ultimate punishment of pleasure drilling into you. And ultimately left you confused as to whether or not you actually enjoyed it. Vex sounded like it, but I never understood the fact that she was a strong woman and never actually told anyone about. Same with Sapphire, though her story was either very similar, or she was just speaking about experience in another way that didn't involve Mercer.

"But how do you see it now?" I wondered. I had to know whether or not this was just how Mercer made things seem or whether there was something else behind it.

Vex just shrugged her shoulders.

"We hardly spoke at all. It's...terrible though and now that you put the idea in my head its actually kind of humilating."

I nodded.

"You and I weren't the only ones. Tonilia...Sapphire. Mercer told me that he did it to them as well."

Vex's eyebrows raised.

"Really? Hm..and I thought Sapphire as all talk herself. Seems to have some kind of hidden issue that is now blatant to us all. And Tonilia? Probably explains why she doesn't want to marry Vekel just yet. And Dirge just thought because she was having an affair with Bryn."

What?

Vex looked at me with fake surprise.

"Oh I'm sorry, just a little rumour around the Flagon. Tonilia insists it's not true. It'd been something of a topic between all of us before you arrived. Luckily now I guess that its long since passed and over, considering Brynjolf won't stop gushing over you."

I shook my head. We had to get back on topic and not jealous over some stupid rumor. I liked Tonilia. Don't ruin it for me now Vex.

"Well Bryn can gush over me as much as he likes. Besides that, I'm more curious as to Mercer got the better of us."

Vex nodded.

"We're all strong women no doubt. But you might want to get looking into that God of Domination crap. Even for Mercer, that's a bit flashy and over the top. He's not the type to go worship any type of Divines but that just sounds...a little bit creepy."

I'd have to look into that another time. But for now...

"Bryn also mentioned that you also knew, Vald personally..."

Vex chuckled. More amusing thoughts.

"Ah I was waiting for this. Yeah I know the dirt on that pig of a man. Got more secrets on him than you can handle. Let's see, how about him screwing up on a job for Maven. Seriously, he screwed up...on Maven. It was a wonder to see him alive."

I crossed my hands.

"He's supposedly at Mercer's Manor. I want to know how to get on his good side."

Vex just laughed.

"Good side? Huh...dunno. Money? But I'd admit he's pretty loyal to Mercer so you may have some trouble buying him off. I don't care what happens to him. But make you sure you help yourself to anything of Mercers while you're in there. Gods know I would."

I smirked.

"Thanks Vex. And I swear, we will get Mercer." I assured her.

She smiled at me. And it may have been one of those cocky smiles, it had been more genuine than I'd ever seen her.

"Appreciate the sentiments. I have no doubt you'll get rid of him. Good riddance. And I might just talk with Tonilia and Sapphire about this as well. They'd want to know that we both know. It might just give them closure...that's if your story is true. Then I'd just be seen as the jealous bitch wanting to lick Mercers boots once last time."

We shook hands in our own agreement. I think this was the first time Vex and I saw eye to eye on anything else besides business. She may have the shield of hate around her but she wasn't that bad. I'd really hope she'd give old' Delvin a chance one day.

"And Petra? Kick his ass for me." She called out to me as I left the Cistern.

Thank you Vex once again. I will make sure of it.