AN: Thanks again for all your reviews! Have a Karliah chapter! Yee
Chapter 29
The Oath
My work was nearing it's end. I could feel it.
But Brynjolf and Petra were willing, since they were just as wrapped up in this nonsense as I was. They'd fallen to the same manipulations as Gallus and I, but I was beginning to see comparisons between Bryn and Petra alongside myself and Gallus. It was adorable and I'd been blind to see it.
I'd interrupted them during their close times...purely by accident of course.
But from what I had seen, they'd been through a lot together. I silently wished them the same luck, if not better than what happened with Gallus. They occasionally gave each other glances and smiled more often in each others presence...the unusual type of flirting, since they were actually more awkward around each other if anything. I could sense the tension between them as we left Riften and into the Rift's countryside. I lead them, while the two walked close by one another. I'd been a fool not to know what was going on. You'd think that after being in a relationship for a while would make it more apparent to you. I was wrong.
We'd walked over to the Nightingale headquarters. I was hoping to induct them as Nightingales so they could get the answers they deserved. I hungered for resolution to a decades long game.
I cannot accept my own failures and reasons for why this had happened. Mercer was ruthless and cruel and I had no doubt in my mind that he was jealous of Gallus. He wasn't always like that. He once admired the Guild Master and followed his word. He...he was a bright man always looking for the thrill. Staying in one place bored him so he was fascinated by the dangerous and the strange. He'd found me once as he'd seen the blood in me was itching to do something.
My grand mother was the infamous Barenziah and I'd come to admire her for her beauty and smarts. Gallus actually knew more about her than me. And I'm family. I'm really blind aren't I?
But Mercer one day just...changed. I was fortunate enough to get out of his grasp, as befitting as my position as a Nightingale and my loyalty to the Oath.
We'd reached the Hall and stood in front of the large standing stone nearby. I'd pulled the chain and opened the hidden doorway nearby.
Brynjolf couldn't believe his eyes but also had trouble following me on what was going on. I only told them the basic details of us being Nightingales in order for us to fight Mercer on equal grounds, or else we'd got slaughtered the moment we encountered him.
We'd gone inside and down the darkened hallways. We'd reached the old rest area, but the beds were pretty much all over the place and derelict. I'd remembered the old days where us three would just be counting the jewels and coin, plotting heists and all those kinds of fun ideas. Back when Mercer used to smile and didn't become the monster he was now. Gallus liked Mercer and saw potential in him as a master thief and welcomed him to the Nightingales with open arms. I believe time with us made him feel..separated after it was made...unfortunately obvious that Gallus and I had fallen for each other.
Mercer was like Brynjolf once. Cheerful, optimistic for the Guild's future and so forth. We were one happy family. It was painful to see him develop sociopathic tendencies. Gallus caught on to his act quite quickly and noticed him...warp into a part of the shadow's we'd never even seen before. He became chauvinistic and brutish. He held just as much hatred as he did jealousy for Gallus towards the end.
I pray to Nocturnal that this never happens to Brynjolf and Petra. Especially if what Brynjolf told me was true about her being what the Nord legends call Dragonborn. I was puzzled as to why someone like her would even be in the Guild. Brynjolf was hesitant and hostile to trust me at first, but when the evidence of Mercer's betrayal became clear, and the stories of Mercer's horrendous came forth, I was glad that my warnings didn't fall on deaf ears.
We came across the armoury, where we would receive the blessed Nightingale Armour. I instructed the pair to rest their hands on the stones before them, marked with the Nightingale symbol.
I felt like Gallus, watching them as they laid their hands on the stones and closed their eyes, looking at the way as thick silver lined black smoke started to swirl around them slowly. I could hear the sparkle sounds, the clinks as it overtook their armour, almost replacing it. The scene was just magical as their capes formed from behind once the smoke had reached their shoulders. The armour started to take shape, with the hood forming, then as the plates themselves settled in, the circular emblem of the Nightingales gave off a bright light before fading in place.
I got mine, then observed the pair admiring the gifts that Nocturnal had gave them. I couldn't help but smile.
"Okay lass, we got these get ups on...now what?" Brynjolf questioned at the behest of his just confusion.
I nodded.
"Beyond this gate is the first step in becoming a Nightingale."
His eyes may be hidden, but I detected reluctance in his body language.
"Woah there, lass. I appreciate the armour, but becoming a Nightingale? That was never discussed."
It was a lot to throw away of course. Petra didn't say anything. I couldn't tell if that silence was acceptance or it was just uncertainty. But I'd expected them to think in the sense of worship and reverence, but I needed them to understand this was all business related and treat it as such. Nocturnal doesn't need prayer. I don't know what she wants but I know how she works and treats her Nightingales.
Brynjolf looked at Petra, who remained quiet in all of this.
"You're pulling Petra into something she doesn't even understand." He stated.
"I don't want her drawn into it."
I crossed my arms and looked at the girl.
"Petra?"
She looked down at her feet.
"We gotta defeat Mercer right?" She stated, not looking at either of us. I really couldn't tell if she was nervous or just puzzled at it all.
"Aye, we do. I just need to know the terms before we strike some deal with a Daedric Prince. Which is hardly ever a good idea."
Hesitations like these were common along decent folk like them. I understood that. But to assure them that they will gain considerable power as part of it, that they will have the backs of said Prince by their side.
"This will improve our luck tenfold I promise you. The terms are quite simple. Nocturnal will allow you to become a Nightingale and use your abilities for whatever you wish. And in return, both in life and in death, you must serve as a guardian of the Twilight Sepulcher."
I explained to them.
Petra looked at me. Part of me didn't want her to stay here but, the secrecy of the Sepulcher was sworn to us for a reason. She could still do what ever she wanted but I had been unsure of her true calling. She may not end up with the shadows herself if what truth about the Dragonborn was known.
"Petra?"
She looked me, her stance improved, supporting her confidence.
"I'll go through with it for now. Anything is better than what I am right now. If this helps out with my courage issues, then by all means."
In a way I was both glad and disappointed. Her future would definitely be uncertain but it wasn't mine to control. Maybe not Nocturnals either.
"Very well. Brynjolf?"
He still wasn't sure about it. I had to appeal it to him somehow.
"There's always a catch. But I guess there isn't much to lose."
I nodded. I had a brief discussion about what we needed to do and what was going to happen. I needed both of them to just relax and to let me handle it.
We came into the main summoning area and instructed Petra to cross the bridge from the inner platform to go onto the western circle and Brynjolf on the eastern. Still having that ethereal feel after all these years. But that's what made it so mystical and illusionary.
I'd gone into the wider central circle, where Gallus once stood. I remembered the words he called out that very day he inducted me and Mercer.
"I call upon you Lady Nocturnal, Queen of Murk and Empress of Shadow... hear my voice!"
Upon my phrasing, a large glowing ball of violet sparkling glowing energy emerged from above the large circle before us.
"Ah, Karliah. I was wondering when I'd hear from you again. Lose something did we?" Called out a echoed and disembodied voice.
We discussed the terms of the oath. These hoods were really good at hiding reactions from the others, but I sensed them in awe of Nocturnals very presence, though I was worried that Petra might not like the idea itself still. But at least I got Nocturnals favour once more, bargaining with her with two more guardians for the Sepulcher.
We met in the inner circle after we'd finished, having some more business to discuss.
"So that's it then? We're Nightingales?" Petra stated.
I nodded.
"Yes. And now you can know Mercers true crime. He's been able to get away with stealing from the Guild is because of the Skeleton Key..."
I described how the Key was crucial to keeping our luck flowing, but how it could open any lock, irregardless of type. And it also unlocked spiritual and magical barriers, bringing us the power stored within our minds. Which made Mercer incredibly powerful. Petra understood the fact that while it made stealing easier, it wasn't right. She'd wanted to spit in his face as she put it back where it belonged. Good. She needed that attitude. The Sepulcher acted as a conduit for luck, flowing in from Nocturnals realm of Evergloam. That all those uncanny claims of pure luck and chance were on the terms of Nocturnals very influence. She was a paragon back in the day. And still is.
And now that we finally had gained an advantage, we could finally strike Mercer, but I suspected we still needed to be extra careful. We went back into the rest area and readjusted the beddings there. I'd come to hide here a lot, during my exile. And I still imagine sometimes, with Gallus right beside me. I miss him dearly.
They weren't saying anything about nor were they showing it, but the pair were exhausted. I wanted them at full strength when we go find Mercer.
Thank you Brynjolf and Petra for bringing back good memories.
