The mages had returned to Winterhold, Aela to Whiterun, and Karliah to the Twilight Sepulcher. The rest retreated to the Ragged Flagon to debrief and to treat Kijjan.
The Mane had lost consciousness during the ride back to Riften, and still had not risen. Kharjo remained at her side at all hours, barely pausing even to sleep. Everyone else gathered around one of the large tables in the tavern.
Though they drank to their success, there was a somber air surrounding them. Kijjan had been instrumental in Luven's downfall. Now she might be paying for it with her life.
There was a lot left to be said between herself and Marius as well. They had declared their love for each other. But there were a great deal of practicalities that came along with that.
"Tabby." Nazir's low voice echoed across the table.
"Sorry. What were you saying?"
"I was asking you when you thought we would be returning to Dawnstar."
She exhaled slowly. "You should return as soon as possible. I'm sure Babette's doing a fine job, but she's got a lot on her plate."
"And you?"
"I want to wait until Kijjan wakes up. So I can thank her properly."
This was true. But she also needed time to speak with Marius, without Nazir hovering over her shoulder.
Nazir sighed. "Very well. Then I best make way for Dawnstar. Write to me when you're coming home, will you?"
"Of course."
"I'm leaving as well," Aela said. "Jorrvaskr needs one of us to be there."
Marius raised his eyebrows. "Dragonborn, are you staying with us?"
"For the moment," He replied. "There are some things for the three of us to discuss. But first I think the two of you should check on Kijjan."
What he really meant, of course, was that the two of them should have a word together. Alone.
Marius wasted no time in limping into the corridor, pulling her in to join him. He placed his hand on her cheek and kissed her passionately.
"You seem different, Listener."
"I feel different," She agreed. "Maybe now that Luven's gone, I've had a rebirth of sorts. A new start."
Marius brushed her hair off her shoulder. "Have you thought about taking a different name? Instead of the one he gave you?"
She hesitated. "I had a name before him," She said softly. "Eilis."
"That's a beautiful name."
Tabby frowned. "But my father gave it to me. He must have. It's a Reach name. And I don't want my name to remind me of my father anymore than I want it to remind me of Luven." She shrugged. "Might as well stick with what I'm used to, for now."
"Very well. Tabby, Eilis, it's all the same to me. What I really want to know is, what happens now?"
"I want to be with you."
"As do I."
"But you can't ask me to give up the Brotherhood."
"I wouldn't dream of it. I know how much they need you. Much more than the Guild needs me."
"But I can't ask you to give up the Guild, either."
Marius hesitated. "The Guild doesn't mean the same thing to me that the Brotherhood does to you. I know how much you love them. How much you love your work." He lowered his voice just a bit. "The Guild is important to me. But I don't live and breathe the Guild."
Tabby stared at him, dumbfounded. "You would give all of this up? For me?"
Marius looked deep into her eyes. "If that's what it took to be with you, I would."
She started to feel dizzy. Somehow, his extreme declaration of devotion made her slightly less attracted to him. It took the mystery out of it, the chase. It felt like at any moment he was going to ask her to marry him. And she had no idea what she would say if that happened.
…On the other hand, the only other romantic experience she had to compare was Astrid, who blatantly kept her at arm's length and ultimately ended up betraying her. So maybe she just didn't have a healthy conceptualization of what a lover was supposed to look like.
His brows furrowed. "You don't look happy."
"It's just…it's just all happening so fast."
"What is?"
"Us. Suddenly things are so serious, and…" She swallowed hard. "I'm only seventeen. I know plenty of Nords get married at that age, but I don't even know how to truly be with someone. To be honest, it kind of scares me. What if I mess it up? What if you end up hating me? What if…"
Marius shushed her, which mildly irritated Tabby. "We'll take things slowly, then. Enjoy each other's company. Learn about each other."
She nodded slowly. "Okay. I would like that."
He put a hand on her waist. "Let's check on Kijjan."
She was laid flat on her back in a spare room in the back of the tavern. They could see her chest rise and fall, but she was clearly still unconscious.
Kharjo was slumped in a chair, asleep while still sitting up. A healer that Tabby had never seen before quietly worked on Kijjan. It seemed as if she was actively trying to not wake Kharjo.
As if reading her mind, the healer whispered, "He almost never sleeps. He doesn't really say anything either. Just sits in that chair, and watches me work."
"Will she wake up?" Tabby whispered back.
The healer frowned. "It's too early to tell. She's breathing, and that's a good sign. The fact that she's still unconscious, however, is not so good."
They left the healer to her work, and Kharjo to his sleep, and returned to the tavern. Only the Dragonborn remained at the table. He beckoned the two of them closer.
"The vampire threat has been neutralized. An immense relief to be sure." He paused to sip from his tankard. "But the fate of Tamriel still hangs in the balance. We're no closer to stopping Alduin than we were three months ago. We need help. And I think the two of you have proved yourselves to be the help we need."
Marius and Tabby looked at each other, then back at Azzam. "But…we're no warriors," Tabby stammered. "We'd be useless in a fight against a dragon."
"I'm not looking for warriors. I've got plenty of those at my command. I'm looking for people who can find a way around an impossible problem. And that's you two." Azzam smiled softly. "Besides, Listener, you've already done the Empire two great favors. What's one more?"
Tabby's brow furrowed. "What are you talking about? Taking care of Luven, and…?"
"Your assassination of the emperor, of course."
She laughed incredulously. "I don't think there's a soul in the Empire who would consider that a favor, Dovahkiin."
"Few realize the true implications of his death. Including yourself, it seems. But think about it. Titus Mede was deeply unpopular. In the eyes of many, he stood helpless as his Empire crumbled around him. But his son was a war hero. Now that he will become Emperor, perhaps he will be able to rally the provinces. Take back Hammerfell. And stand back up to the Thalmor."
"Alright, Dovahkiin. You've caught my attention. What is it that you'd have us do?"
"It's going to be a long road. I'm aware that I'm asking a lot of you, especially as faction leaders. But believe me when I say you will be helping to save hundreds of thousands of lives."
"That didn't tell us a thing about what you want us to do," Marius said bemusedly.
"Our first step is to track down an ancient prophecy. One that could finally reveal the secret to defeating Alduin. From there, the path forward will hopefully reveal itself."
Tabby took a deep breath. "Nazir will throw a fit," She said. "'Putting myself in unnecessary danger' and all of that. But this is for a greater cause. I'm willing to take the risk." She looked at Marius. "Are you?"
Marius ran a hand through his hair. "Why not," He said. "We'll either find honor and glory, or die horrible deaths. What could go wrong?"
Azzam smiled ever so slightly. "Put your affairs in order," He said. "We leave at first light on Morndas."
She might have just gotten herself in way over her head. But at the very least, this saga would be more interesting than sitting around the Dawnstar Sanctuary barking orders.
Of course, if the dragons didn't kill her for taking on this mission, Nazir certainly would.
That night she slept in Marius's bed, his arms wrapped tightly around her.
"Do you think we're making the right choice?" He murmured into her ear. "We could very easily be killed."
"Azzam helped us. We owe him. Besides, just like the vampire army, I happen to have a vested interest in preventing the destruction of our world."
"I suppose you're right," He said. "And I guess it will be a grand adventure. Probably some treasure to be found, too."
"Will you make sure Brynjolf looks after Kijjan?"
"Of course, love. She'll be treated well down here. No matter what happens."
A small pang of guilt hit Tabby's stomach. Kijjan had saved her life, and now she was about to leave her in the care of a bunch of thieves.
She dreamt she was walking through an endless, pitch-black tunnel. As she walked, a voice echoed from all angles:
Yet another child has prayed to their Mother. Speak with Grelka, here in Riften. And send another soul into our Dread Father's awaiting arms.
So the following morning, the last day before they were to depart Riften, Tabby donned her full set of armor and slipped out of the Ragged Flagon. She found Grelka at her stall, setting up for the day.
"What are you looking at, freak?" Grelka snapped.
"I believe you wanted to have a word with me," Tabby said cryptically. Perhaps we should go somewhere where we can speak a bit more candidly."
Grelka blinked, seeming to realize who she was speaking with. "You people work fast. Come with me," They ducked into a nearby alley, and Grelka produced a bag of coin from her pocket.
The clients almost always felt the need to provide their entire life story when giving the target. Surly Grelka was no exception. "I'm barely scraping by with my stall these days," She began. "Business is tough, you know? There comes to a point when a woman's got to do what she's got to do. And sometimes that means…taking care of the competition."
Tabby had tuned her out after the first sentence. "Who am I killing?" She asked bluntly.
"The town blacksmith. His name is Balimund."
