.

FALNAS

Hard Answers

Winterhold

"What did you say the name was?" The guardswoman he'd asked directions to stood squinting at him, the ice cold wind blowing snow in her face, which was marked by a jagged scar running diagonally across.

"Enthir," Falnas shouted over the howling wind, hugging himself against the icy cold and the snow that seemed to blow right through his clothes.

The woman shook her head. "Might wanna try the Frozen Hearth." When Falnas gave her a questioning look, she clarified, "Tavern, back the way you came."

Yes, this hamlet seemed to consist of only one street flanked with hovels and a house or two. And right ahead of him lay stone stairs that led to a bridge, and beyond that, a massive temple of sorts. "What about over there?"

"Don't think so," the guard shouted. "That's the College of Winterhold."

"Well? A College makes sense."

"Not for a linguist," she hollered. "It's a College of magick."

"Alright, tavern then?"

"Yes," she shouted, shielding her face. "Go on, get out of the blizzard."

"You should too."

"Wish I could. Take care."

"You too, thanks."

Right place or no, he was happy to be out of the blizzard. He left it, and its howling wind and snow, behind when he banged the door of the inn closed. He was in the northest reaches of Skyrim now, and dammit if he didn't know it. The cold had a million tiny teeth here. Thank Nocturnal though that despite the sign outside, the hearth was not literally frozen. The warmth of the fireplace wafted towards him, and his clothes promptly began to steam.

Falnas sat himself down as close to the hearth as he could, and ordered a goblet of hot wine. There wouldn't be flin or sujamma here, but surely a bottle of spiced red would be available. And indeed, the steaming goblet warmed his inner thief as the hearth warmed the rest of him.

"Hey friend," Falnas asked the innkeeper, a Nord with the dumbest looking face he'd ever seen. "I'm looking for a man named Enthir. They said I could find him here."

"Oh, Enthir, yeah, he's around. Who wants to know?"

"Someone with an interest in the Falmer language," Falnas simply replied. Weren't innkeepers supposed to be discrete?

A cowled Dunmer woman sitting in the corner gave him a curious, and even suspicious look. For a moment he thought it was Karliah, but this one's mouth was slightly broader, and her upper lip more pronounced. When he looked back at her, he saw her eyes shift to the innkeeper.

"He's in his room now," the Nord said to Falnas, "but he'll be down soon." The innkeeper stood up and commented, seemingly to no one, "A lot of interest in Enthir lately."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Falnas asked, but the Nord had already walked to another table, the Dunmer in the corner following him with her eyes. This one was up to no good, but it seemed her sights were set on the innkeeper, and not on him, so he decided not to bother for now and just sip his wine as the hearth dried his clothes.

"Looking for me, are you?" a mer's voice interrupted his repose. Sitting down at his table was a Bosmer with a rather manifest chin and his hair cut into an elfhawk.

"If you're Enthir, then yes."

"I'll have you know," the mer said with his eyes narrowed, "that we're in a public place, and it would be very foolish of you to try and harm me."

"Harm you?" Falnas echoed. "What makes you think I want to harm you? I just need someone to translate something for me. Something Falmer."

"You do?" then the suspicion fell away from his face. "You do. Oh, you do. Yes, thank the Adrea… that's… that's alright. What exactly do you need?" he asked, visibly relieved.

"Are you in danger?" Falnas asked him, his eyes, in turn, narrowing.

"I'm not sure I am," Enthir responded, looking over his shoulder. "But I know someone's been watching me. A woman. Human, but I'm not sure which race exactly. She's quick, I can only catch a glimpse of her when I suddenly turn around."

That must be Mercer's crony. That wouldn't be a problem. "Well, if they wanted you dead, you'd be pushing up daisies already, wouldn't you?" Falnas said, taking care not to let it slip that he knew who it probably was. Or at least who'd sent her.

"Yes… yes, I suppose. But they might just be waiting for… I don't know."

"Look, how 'bout this," Falnas suggested. "If you translate this journal for me, I'll make sure that stalker is off your back. That a good deal?" It wasn't, because Falnas knew more than Enthir did, but caveat emptor and all that. Besides, the result for Enthir would be the same, no matter how much or how little trouble it took Falnas.

"Well," the mer said, shifting in his chair. "It's like this… I could translate the journal, but…"

Here it came. "But?"

"Well… you see," he said, avoiding Falnas' gaze, "I can't just translate the Falmer language out of hand. It's not how it works."

It would seem Falnas was going to have to drag it out. "So how does it work then?"

"I need a key. Not a physical one, but a translation key, you know?"

"M-hm."

"Once I have that, I can translate whatever you want. But the only one who has a key to the Falmer language is Calcelmo. I can translate directly out of most languages, but Falmer… no."

"Right. And who is this Calcelmo?"

"He's a scholar, in Markarth. He's supposed to have a key to the language, but he won't share. He's holding the document for some reason. Probably to feel all grand knowing he's the only one who has it."

"Mm. Markarth, you say?"

"Markarth. Get me that key and I'll translate the entire Annuad for you. But without it, it's all gibberish."

"And couldn't this Calcelmo berk just – "

Enthir interrupted him with a snort. "Calcelmo's a hoarder. Not a linguist. He'd just put the document on display, in a glass case to make sure it didn't get smudged. No, no, even with the key, he wouldn't be able to translate even a nursery rhyme. You'll need to get the key from him, some way."

Falnas sipped his wine. "Any suggestions?" he already knew the most likely way, but if this guy could come up with something quicker, so much the better.

"No. But I'm certain he won't be selling it."

Falnas only smiled faintly. "That's too bad, because he'll wish he did."

"Well, once you're back with the key, I'll translate that book in no time."

Falnas paid for his wine and took a room, and after a short rest, he set off to Markarth. It was a serious hike away, but there probably wasn't any rush. Mercer thought he was dead, and as long as Karliah sat tight, she wouldn't be in danger. At dawn's first light, he left the inn and shrugged his backpack on.

His sharp senses warned him of a person behind him, but as soon as he'd drawn his knife, he felt another one on his throat as an arm hooked around his waist.

"How are you still alive?" a female voice hissed

This must be the woman who'd been spying on Enthir. The one on the lookout for Karliah. It had been stupid of them to assume that Mercer's man, or woman in this case, didn't know his face either.

"Well, I just kept breathing in and out," Falnas answered. "And the rest just took care of itself."

"Cute. So the fact that you're here can only mean one thing. You're one of Karliah's buddies now, are you?"

Falnas had recognized the voice right away. "Why yes. Yes, I think I am, Sapphire."

"Of course you are. Should have figured it out sooner. You join, and then this whole mess with Karliah starts."

"It did, at that," Falnas realized. "What a coincidence, isn't it? But I only took Karliah's side yesterday."

"My ass you did. But at least you're honest about supporting Gallus' murderer."

"I'm not the one supporting the person who murdered Gallus," Falnas grunted as Sapphire pulled her knife closer. "Seems we only heard one side of the story."

"Bullshit," Sapphire hissed in his ear. "Mercer told us about you. How you betrayed him at the last moment, tried to stab him in the back, and he struck you down. Karliah got away, but she'll make a mistake yet. So how are you still alive?"

"Mercer was right about one thing," Falnas said. "He did strike me down. Like a coward when I lay paralyzed by Karliah's dart. I caught it when it was meant for him."

"Doesn't answer my question, and don't lie to me."

"I'm not lying. Look, can we have a normal conversation without knives at each others' vitals?"

Sapphire let out a grunting laugh. "I think there's only one knife, and only one vital spot it's aimed at."

Smirking, Falnas said, "That is where you're wrong." With a quick movement, he made her feel the knife he had behind his back, the tip set against her abdomen, right above the pubis. "I'd never hurt you, Sapphire, but if I make a rash, uncontrolled move, say, by getting my throat cut, it would be a painful wound, and I'd probably spasm so hard I'd tear you right open. You might survive the wound, but you wouldn't escape the guards. Don't make me do that."

"If I take the knife off, you'll – "

"No, Sapphire," he assured her. "I swear. Mercer had us all fooled, me too. All I want to do is talk." And he added a little bluff, "I knew you were here the second I arrived. Knew which room you were in. I could have killed you any time I wanted. Come on. Put the knife away, we're looking like idiots in the middle of the street."

Sapphire remained silent, but after a few seconds, the knife came off his throat. He in turn let his knife come off her abdomen and sheathed it. "Come on, let's have a drink. Might as well talk in a warm place."

The innkeeper served them two mugs of warm honeyed milk, with Sapphire still eyeing Falnas with unconcealed suspicion in her eyes.

"So talk," she said when the innkeeper had returned to his bar. "Because I still don't believe you."

"Alright," Falnas said. "I understand that you don't. I didn't believe it at first either. But Mercer… Mercer had us all fooled. It turns out he was the one who murdered Gallus, and he was the one who drove Karliah out."

Sapphire scoffed. "Got any evidence for that, apart from her word?"

"I do," he said with a smirk, holding up the journal. "Right here. This is Gallus' journal."

Sapphire held out her hand and flicked her fingers. "Give it here."

Yes, there was the problem. "Yes, well…" he shifted in his seat. "You won't be able to read it just like that."

With an angry sigh, Sapphire gave him a look that said, 'are you kidding me?'.

"It's in the Falmer language. Needs to get translated first."

"Hmph. Your dolly friend Karliah not versed in the language?"

"Of course not."

"Of course not." She grunted, the warm milk untouched on the table before her. "So you're asking me to believe you based on… what?"

He leaned in closer to her. "Sapphire. I'm not going to claim that you know me inside and out, but come on. In the three years we've been acquaintances, I must have made some impression of trustworthiness on you?"

She looked away. "I don't think I'm very capable of anything resembling trust anymore."

Maybe it was a bad idea to shift the topic of conversation away for a bit, but he asked regardless. "Sapphire, I've always seen you as a strong woman, but there's always been… a sadness around you. A… 'woundedness' if I can use such a stupid word. What happened to you?"

Her features hardened and her lip trembled. "It's better that you don't ask. And it's got nothing to do with this, so don't side-track me."

He pulled back and held up his hands. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry, I just…"

"Don't finish that sentence."

Yes, perhaps that would be best. "I'm sorry, I was only trying to..." he cleared his throat. "I swear it's not my intention to side-track you, I asked out of genuine concern."

"Well don't. Again, you're asking me to take you at your word."

Falnas nodded. No sense trying to sugar-coat it. "When it comes down to it, yes, I am."

"You know I can't do that. Not just like that."

"Look," Falnas tried again. "All I'm asking is a little more time to get this thing translated. Nothing more."

"You mean, a little more time to run away and blab to your friend Karliah?"

He shook his head. "Look at it this way. If Karliah and I really were planning something dirty, why on Nirn would I want to get this diary translated? If not to exonerate her, then what else?"

Sapphire finally touched her honeyed milk, taking a calculated sip. She looked like she was in deep thought. At length she said, "Fine. Let's go then. Get this journal translated."

Wait, hold on a second. "Uh... 'let's'?"

"I'm coming with you." She rose and buckled her knife belt. "Unless that's a problem?" She asked it casually but the undertone was unmistakable.

"Well no, but..."

"But what?" she snapped. Her patience was clearly running thin.

"No, no, nothing," Falnas gave in. Better to let her tag along so he could clear his name with her support. "Let's move."

"What's her problem?" Sapphire asked abruptly, her eyes on the Dunmer woman sitting in the corner, still studying the innkeeper.

"I think," Falnas said, rising from his chair, "that our innkeeper is better appreciated dead than alive by someone who has money."

"It's not our business, is it?" Sapphire asked, her tone making it clear that maybe she wished it was.

"No, Sapphire," Falnas said regardless. "Not our business."

After a few seconds, she tore her eyes away from the bar, and followed Falnas outside.

Their hike took them to Markarth, a journey that took more than a day. Falnas knew better than to bother Sapphire with anything after the evening meal, and they both slept like logs, then resumed their walk to Markarth. Sapphire didn't talk much, but she did ask questions about Karliah. Who was she? What was she like? What had happened between Mercer and her? They were questions asked, maybe, out of interest, but primarily to see if Falnas would trip up or if she could catch him in a lie. She didn't, because there weren't any.

They arrived in Markarth in the afternoon, and a quick ask-around told them Calcelmo was an Altmer historian with a museum in Understone Keep. A quick ask-around fuelled by some septims taught them that Calcelmo had a special interest in the Dwemer, and that he was knowledgeable about everything Falmer, though more as a side-effect of his Dwemer studies. In fact, his museum was really an excavation site doubling as a place of exhibition. Some extra septims had taught them Calcelmo had been boasting about a unique relic in his laboratory, a key to translate the Falmer language.

They had everything they needed, and after a quick supper, they went to confront Calcelmo in Understone Keep. One of the guards helpfully showed them the way to the man's laboratory, but as they arrived, an Altmer in a robe and hood emerged and locked the doors. This must be Calcelmo.

"Ah!" Falnas exclaimed with loud confidence. "This is a wonderful day indeed. The eminent historian Calcelmo, I can scarcely believe it" Altmer just loved being addressed with all sorts of titles and praise.

"Yes, I am he," the mer said, turning. "What is this regarding?" He had a goatee, unusual for an Altmer, in a silvery grey colour. He didn't look that old, however, by Altmer standards at least. Falnas had expected a wizened and dried up old scholar, but this mer was 'only' in his late middle ages.

"Esteemed Calcelmo," Falnas grovelled, "We have come far, and we would be honoured beyond measure if we were permitted a glimpse around your fascinating museum. We share your great passion for the Dwemer culture and would consider it a grand learning experience to see your collection."

"Oh?" he asked, still sceptical. "You are historians? You certainly... aren't dressed the part."

"Well," Falnas explained, "We were adventurers at heart, but it's through our exploration of an old Dwemer ruin that we, well... caught the virus, so to speak."

"Ah yes, I see. More like the adventurous archaeologist types then?"

"Indeed," Falnas said, changing his tone to make it sound like they were two guys that understood one another. "Would have gone for the whip as my weapon of choice if I'd known."

"Err, yes. Well. Much as I applaud your passion, and much as I understand your desire, I'm afraid the museum is currently off-limits. We've apprehended an attempted thief, and some of the objects are too valuable to keep available to the public."

Damn, this was a stroke of bad luck. Falnas cursed the rank amateur who'd apparently been caught just a few days before. "I see. We're not here for stealing, though. Well," he added with a chuckle of camaraderie, "except perhaps a lot of inspiration."

Calcelmo wasn't convinced. "Well, being an admirer, I'm sure you appreciate the need to keep my research a secret."

Dammit, what a tenacious prick. "I understand. It's a sad thing that we're denied this opportunity for learning, but of course, with your research being so valuable to the world, we understand that you want to be cautious. It has been an honour just meeting you, we shouldn't be greedy."

Falnas hoped that had done the trick, and yes, Calcelmo harrumphed and said, "Well. What kind of mentor would I be if I denied a potential student a glimpse at the master's genius." He fished a key out of his pocket. "This is the key to the museum, browse at your leisure. I must insist, however, that my laboratory remain strictly off-limits."

The key to the Falmer language was reputedly in his laboratory, so it was a partial victory, but Falnas realized he'd blow it all by pushing it. He held out his hand, letting the heavy bronze key drop in it. "This is a grand day indeed," he dramatized, feigning stars in his eyes as he looked at the key in his hand. "Come, my love, let us take in all the knowledge we can!"

Sapphire didn't feel much like acting, so she just grunted in response.

"Well, I'll leave you to it. Remember, keep to the museum only."

"Of course, we would never misuse your generosity."

Pft, as if.

Falnas turned the key in the lock and they went inside, closing the door behind them.

"Talos' britches," Sapphire muttered, "I was about to throw up from all the ass kissing you were doing."

"Worked, didn't it?"

"At the cost of our dignity."

He shrugged, peering through the gloomy museum. "We're thieves, liars and frauds. You want dignity, go serve in the temple of Mara. Now come on. Let's look for this key."

"Hmph. Laboratory, right?"

"Probably."

The museum was mostly dark, though a few Dwemer light-devices were still functional, casting a pale blue glow over the museum exhibits, and the shadows played across the walls, making the place look like it was full of monstrous silhouettes waiting to come to life and tear them limb from limb.

"Shit," Falnas said quietly. "This place would make for a good horror story in this light. Should write one."

"Yeah, you said it, about museum exhibits coming to life," Sapphire agreed. "Five nights at Falnas'."

"Would be a good title," he admitted. "But I'm sure these museum exhibits are just junk. Laboratory's probably at the end of the hall." He pointed at the double doors on the other side of the museum.

"I"ll get this open," Sapphire said, kneeling by the doors and taking out her lockpicks. "You check if the key isn't anywhere around here."

"Which one? The lab key or the Falmer language key?"

Sapphire rolled her eyes. "Aren't we funny."

He was, if he thought so himself. As Sapphire worked (and grunted the occasional curse under her breath), Falnas looked at every display case, looking for a scroll, a paper, a book, or anything that could possibly be the key. After all, it might as well be here and then they wouldn't even have to break into the laboratory. But the only paper things he found were scraps, or blueprints or schematics to Dwemer devices. "Got nuthin', Sapphire."

"Salright, I'm almost in," Sapphire grunted back, her tongue out the side of her mouth as she carefully turned her pick to push the last tumbler out of the way. There was a click, and from Sapphire, a satisfied, "here we go."

They carefully pushed the door open and found themselves in the laboratory. Well, if one could call it that. It was a complex of passageways, as it seemed Dwemer cities often were (did these people actually live in one long corridor?), with various devices on various tables, picked apart and half put together again. Or not at all, in some cases.

"He's probably got the key in a prominent place," Sapphire said as they marched through the hallway, taking care to be somewhat expeditious in their search, lest their new shining beacon of wisdom returned early. They didn't want to be found in the laboratory, it would be much better to just do a clean in-and-out, with no one the wiser until they actually discovered the key was missing.

"Yeah," Falnas said, "Look for display cases or desks. That's probably where – "

They both stopped at what they saw, dumbstruck.

"That's... a prominent place alright," Sapphire remarked.

"Think this is it?"

"Pretty sure."

"We're buggered."

"You are, at least."

It was the key, they were both certain of it. But it wasn't a paper, or a book, or a scroll. Nope.

It was a stone tablet the width of a man and half as high. A black marble slab of about fifteen centimetres thick. It must weigh a tonne. By the hairy pooper of Sotha Sil, this thing really was unstealable.

"Well," Falnas said sourly, pointing at the slab. "Which side is lightest? You can take that."

"We could smash it," Sapphire said, equally dully. "Then cart the pieces out. I'm sure we'll be done by morning."

"This is some serious crap," Falnas merely remarked, scratching his head. "Maybe we can copy it. I'm sure it won't take us more than a week?"

Sapphire seemed to come to a realization. "Hold on, hold on. I've got an idea."

Scooting to one of the tables, she began furiously rooting around inside the drawers and boxes, rummaging around for whatever it was she needed for her idea, while Falnas looked on with a frown.

"Aha!" she exclaimed, throwing a roll of paper over her shoulder so it landed at Falnas' feet.

"Uh, Sapphire? The copying thing was a joke. A bad one, but a joke."

"Shut up," she snapped at him, but he could tell she was grinning. "I've got a better idea. Ugh, a puzzle box? You find these things everywhere it seems." After rummaging a while longer, she let out, "Fucking finally." She came back, holding a few chunks of charcoal between her fingers. "Can't believe it took me so long to find those."

"I feel compelled to repeat that what I said about copying was a joke."

She put her hands in her sides and gave him an impatient look. "I'm going to lock you in here if you don't stop being snarky. Just watch."

She took the roll of paper and unrolled it, taking one of the large sheets and holding them against the tablet. Then she set the side of the piece of charcoal against it and began making broad dark strokes.

And through the strokes, the lettering on the tablet appeared in darker shades.

A rubbing! Dammit, why hadn't he thought of that. He slapped his forehead. "Sapphire, if the laws of nature allowed it, I would bear your children."

She ignored the compliment. "Rub, move it."

The sheets of paper were far too small for the tablet, but they could always reconstruct the pieces later. The rubbed like two idiots, copying the tablet onto paper at a dazzling speed. Only once, Sapphire had to get up and search for more charcoal, and in an hour or two, the entire tablet was copied. Hopefully. It wasn't easy to keep track of what had been rubbed over and what hadn't been.

"Good thinking, Sapphire," Falnas grunted as he finished the last sheet. His muscles were sore and his fingers chapped, but it was done.

"Thanks. I remembered because I had to do it on an inscribed shield once."

He stuffed the papers in his bag. "Let's get out of here."

Get out they did, Sapphire carefully closing the door and locking it again. They traversed the museum and opened the double doors to Understone Keep, and found themselves face to face with an Altmer, but it wasn't Calcelmo. This one was younger.

"Uncle told me you came to see his museum," he said with venomous friendliness. "Surely you didn't... steal anything, did you?"

"Of course not," Falnas said, smiling broadly. "The very thought of robbing such a brilliant man."

"Can I... see your bag?"

"Alright, alright," Falnas admitted with overdramatic gesture. "We did steal some paper and some charcoal to make some notes. But surely – "

"That's not what I mean, and you know it. Your bag please."

Falnas held his bag open, and as Calcelmo's cousin looked inside, he quickly rifled his fingers through the pages. "See? Nothing in there."

The Altmer looked down his nose at him. "I'll have to search you."

With a roll of his eyes, Falnas put his bag down and spread his arms. "Go on."

The git clearly didn't know what he was doing, patting him down like a total amateur. He'd hidden blades and stolen goods from better searchers before. And this time he wasn't even hiding anything.

To his satisfaction, or perhaps lack thereof, the cousin didn't find anything. He turned to Sapphire. "You too."

"Touch me and you'll eat your toes," Sapphire merely growled at him.

Falnas winced, thinking he'd start making a fuss, but it seemed Sapphire's answer had made an impression. "Er... yes. The key please?"

He held out his hand and Falnas dropped the key in it, along with a septim. "For the paper and charcoal. Do tell your uncle we enjoyed the visit immensely, will you?"

His face still sour and suspicious, the Altmer merely said, "I'll be sure to pass it along."

"Good thing he didn't know about how secret that key was," Sapphire said under her breath as they left.

"Mm. But technically, we didn't steal anything."

"Except some paper and charcoal."

The return travel was the same as the away trip had been, occasionally questions but mostly silence. It was late morning when they arrived back in Winterhold, and they ran into Enthir in the main street.

"Ah..." the linguist breathed, visibly nervous. "I... didn't think you'd be back."

"How's that?" Falnas asked.

"You should... see the Frozen Hearth."

Two guards stood posted outside the door. What in Oblivion had happened there?

"Dagur, his wife and... and little girl. Dead, all... all three of them," Enthir stammered, sounding as if he thought he was next. "Poisoned."

"That's a bummer," Falnas could only say. He'd been right about the Dunmer woman, and what she'd been there for.

Sapphire looked away, shook her head and said quietly. "Maybe we should have made it our business."

"So why are you so afraid?"

"Well..." the mer explained. "You show up, three people get murdered, and then you come back, along with the woman who's been spying on me for a while now. It certainly looks like you're here to finish the job."

Falnas burst into laughter. "What, right here in the street? Don't be ridiculous. The one who did this was Brotherhood, most likely. We're Thieves' Guild. We're not like those maniacs, we don't kill people." He threw his arm over Enthir's shoulder. "Seriously, friend, you've been worried over nothing. Now come on, we've got work to do."

They'd given Enthir the rubbing and the journal, and told him to translate from the ending backward, and to let them know as soon as he found something that proved who'd murdered Gallus. Then they'd paid for a bad in a wing of the longhouse, which had been repurposed as a temporary flophouse for travellers until the inn was examined, cleaned and given a new owner.

They must have slept for only an hour or two before Enthir shook Falnas awake.

"Mmhhh?"

"You told me to wake you as soon as I found anything."

Falnas wiped the sand from his eyes. It was just a late afternoon nap, but he could have slept forever, he felt. He looked around and saw Sapphire still lying in the next bed, her back to him. Probably still asleep. Good, you never knew what that journal would say. "Let's uh… step aside for a bit."

"M-hm."

Night was falling, and snow fell again, though not on Falnas and Enthir, they had an overhang over their heads. Still, Falnas had to hug himself and stomp his feet against the cold. "So what'd you find out?"

He opened the page, his hand-written translation next to it. "It's rather clear, to be honest."

Falnas read the last entry.

I don't think he'll go that far as to kill me, but I need to be wary, nothing is certain these days and even good people are changing all around me. At least I can trust Karliah. Mercer's up to something. I think he's… doing things to the shrine. I'll confront him tonight. I've already instructed Karliah to flee if things go bad, but I'm sure it won't come to that. Mercer's been acting strange lately, but he's been our friend for a long time, and a fellow Nightingale. I have to know what he's been doing, and I hope he'll have a good explanation. I'd hate to see the friendship of the three of us get ruined. I have to stay positive. Mercer will have an explanation.

Clearly, Mercer had an explanation. One that involved eliminating whoever found him out. It had made him head of the Guild.

It was proven now. Karliah couldn't possible have conjured an entire journal in Falmer, and the signatures and writing styles would match Gallus'. Daedra-damned Mercer had had them all fooled. Still, there was a bit of relief too. He hadn't bet on the wrong horse by following Karliah. Because despite the stab, despite the banter afterwards, it had been a leap of faith, no matter which way you looked at it, and it could have gotten him seriously burned. More importantly, he was relieved that now he could prove to the Guild that Mercer had been the shitbag in all of this. He had to get back as soon as possible, and bring Sapphire with him. If this didn't convince him, nothing would.

"Judging from your response, I…" Enthir said carefully, "…assume this confirms an earlier suspicion."

"It does," Falnas said. "Hold on one second."

He woke Sapphire and gave her the diary and translation, giving her time to look it over, then returned to Enthir, outside. "I appreciate this, Enthir. The Guild appreciates this."

"I know how you can repay me," the mer said abruptly.

"Speak, and your mouth will open," Falnas said. "What do you have in mind?"

He leaned in closer. "I'm not just a linguist. I've been trading College relics under the table, you know, without the guard or the College knowing. Students bring me things they… spirited away, and… well, you know."

Interesting. "So you're a freelancer?" Falnas said in mock disapproval. "We don't like those in the Guild, you know that." So that was why he'd been so damn nervous.

"Well… well…" Enthir bumbled, "I just… I haven't… It wasn't really…"

Falnas chuckled, "Lighten up, Enthir. You've just done us a huge favour, and at no small danger to yourself." That last bit was exaggerated, but it would stroke Enthir's self-image a bit. "And the fact that we haven't found you out yet, you sly little git, means you're obviously discrete about what you do." Falnas already had an idea what he wanted.

"I… could, I mean, with the right incentive, expand this little business I have running. So I was hoping you'd… well…"

"Consider making you our official fence in Winterhold?"

"I, well… yes."

"Well, I'm just one person in the Guild, and I'm not the top guy," though he wondered who would be, now, "but I'll definitely recommend you. This whole 'magical items' racket might prove a lucrative opportunity for the Guild. We'd be needing a piece of the action on those too, you understand."

"Of course. In fact, the Guild would get first crack at new items I receive, before any private buyers."

Falnas smiled broadly. "Mer, I like the way you talk. I'll see to it. Don't worry, I'll convince them. Expect an Initiate with the terms soon."

"We're both gonna profit from this," Enthir assured him. "Everyone wins."

"Except the College."

Enthir grinned back. "Except the College."

Sapphire appeared in the doorway, an angry scowl on her face. Falnas had anticipated this. She was going to be pissed to have to say she'd been wrong and he'd been right.

"I'm not going to waste a lot of words on this," she said, still glaring, holding up the diary, the translated page tucked inside, "and just remind you of the fact that you only have this proof because I let you, and helped you, find it. So don't get smug, don't act like I owe you an apology. I gave you the benefit of the doubt."

Being smug was tempting, but she was right. She could have just detained him, or ratted him out to Mercer, or done a number of other things instead of giving him the chance to prove his innocence. She'd been suspicious, yes, but she'd also not taken sides without evidence. "No, Sapphire, I'm not going to be smug. I know how it looked, and what Mercer told you. You could have just gotten me killed or arrested. That would have been much easier for you. And despite that, you helped me prove myself. All I can say is you made the right choice, and I'm glad you did. Thank you."

"So what now?" she asked.

"Now we go meet Karliah, we take this back to the Guild, and try not to get stabbed or pincushioned before we can make our case. Then we see what damage Mercer has done while we were gone, and then we set up a fencing contract for Enthir here."

She nodded. "Right. Come on then, I'd like to see this Karliah of yours."

Falnas led her to the agreed-upon point, a small camp halfway between Winterhold and Riften. When they arrived, Falnas hadn't even reached the tent yet before he heard a bowstring being drawn.

"Not again, Karliah. We both remember what happened last time you shot me."

"Who's she?" Karliah's voice came from behind and above them. The woman had actually climbed a tree.

"She's Mercer's man. Well, woman. He sent her to keep watch on me, but she realized the truth when we translated the journal."

"Can she be trusted?"

Sapphire stomped her foot. "I'm standing right here!"

"Yes, Karliah, she can be," Falnas answered calmly. "Now please, lower the bow and come out of that tree. What are you, Bosmer?"

There wa s the rustling of pine needles and a thud as her feet came down. Only then did Falnas turn around. Karliah still wore her cloak and hood, and her purple eyes looked at them suspiciously. The bow was lowered but still in her hand, the arrow between her two forefingers. She could draw the string and release in a heartbeat.

"So you're Karliah?" Sapphire said, her arms crossed. She naturally took care to sound unimpressed. "Got a weird way of proving your innocence."

"When people around you get fooled by Mercer's fabrications, proving your innocence in a normal way just won't work," Karliah shot back. "Who are you?"

"Sapphire. Joined right after Mercer took over. That's all you need to know."

Karliah didn't give her any more attention and turned to Falnas. "Do you have the journal?"

He took it out of his pack and held it up. "Enthir translated the last entry. It's all we need to prove your innocence."

Karliah nodded. "Brynjolf still there?"

"M-hm."

"Good. He's got a firm head on his shoulders. Well, for a Nord at least."

"Hey."

"You know what I mean, lass."

"No, I don't," Sapphire glared.

"Ugh, don't be difficult. Hasty words, I apologize," Karliah conceded. "I meant, he's got a good head on his shoulders, for a Nord man."

"Better."

Falnas decided to let the girls have their moment instead of speaking up.

"As I was saying, we speak to Brynjolf first. Then Mallory. We leave Vex and Vekel out of it until we've convinced those two. Tonilia neither. She's smart, and reasonable, but she's also extremely loyal to Mercer. It'll take a lot to convince her."

"We'll get it done. We've got proof, right?"

"Let's get to Riften," Sapphire said. "This isn't the best atmosphere."

"You're right about that," Karliah said. "I'll probably be intolerable until I can prove my innocence and get some of the tension off me." She looked at Sapphire. "We'll start over fresh then, that work?"

"Suppose it'll have to do."

As tense as the walk to Markarth with Sapphire had been, this one was double the 'fun'. Sapphire didn't say a word during the entire walk, but Karliah did at least defrost somewhat. Not towards her, because she told Falnas that 'if she wasn't going to bother being nice', then neither was she. Falnas silently considered it all pretty childish.

Karliah was inquisitive during the slog, asking how the Guild had changed, and who was still there. They'd been talking mostly about crazy Maven, who was using the Guild as her personal commodity ('typical for Mercer to sell out the Guild'), and about the state of affairs in Riften ('a Brotherhood member? That's never good news').

It wasn't until Riften was good and well into view that Sapphire finally opened her mouth.

"We can't just walk in."

"Mm, what?" Falnas said, pulled from his thoughts.

"We can't just walk in. They'll arrest us on the spot."

With a snort, Falnas told her, "Sapphire, the Guild's in Maven's pocket. They value their bribes too much to arrest us."

"Not anymore," Sapphire said with a shake of her head. "Something's happened. They already took Brynjolf in for a night 'to set an example'. Set him free afterwards because they couldn't pin anything on him, but walking around openly in broad daylight's a no-no for now."

"Why? What happened?"

She nudged her head at the city. "Brynjolf and Delvin will tell you."

Karliah chuckled. "We're Thieves. We shouldn't walk around openly in broad daylight at all. We can do without that luxury. Come, let me show you new kids how we used to get around."

She led them to a section of the city wall, out of the field of view of the guard towers, overgrown with creepers and weed.

"This brings back memories," she said quietly. "Never thought I'd be able to use it again." She turned to Falnas and said an honest, "Thanks for this."

"It's peachy."

She stuck her fingers in the ground, felt around a bit, and the next moment, the entire thatch of weed came up to reveal a manhole.

"Cute huh?" she said, not without pride. "The plants are a perfect replica of living ones. No one ever thinks about looking for a trap door here."

Upon close examination, Falnas indeed saw that the plants were made out of fibers woven together, and fabric cut to resemble flowers. It was crazy accurate and if you weren't looking for it, you'd never find it.

"Cute enough for us not to know about it," Sapphire grunted.

"Not my fault," Karliah merely said, lowering herself down the hole, Falnas and Sapphire following.

It was a brief jaunt through an old part of the Ratway (even older than the rest) before they found themselves in the familiar maze, close to the cistern. Now it was simply business to wait until Brynjolf showed himself. They hid in the shadows, at the end of a dead-end corridor, and watched who would walk past.

Vex came through after a few minutes, buckling her knife belt. Probably going out on a job, so she wouldn't be back too early. A little later, Tonilia skulked by, going into the cistern with a wooden box under her arm. Then there was no one for what seemed like an eternity, but eventually Brynjolf came out of the cistern, busily scratching his backside. Falnas could relate to the 'when men are alone'-syndrome.

"Brynjolf," Karliah said quietly, but even a quiet voice was like thunder in these silent corridors.

"Who goes there?" Brynjolf asked, jumping to attention and drawing his knife. When he recognized her, his eyes went wide. "Karliah?" He needed a second to overcome his surprise, then said, "I'm not letting you destroy our Guild. You're going to have to get past me if you want to – "

"Don't be silly, Brynjolf," Falnas said amicably, also emerging from the shadows to scare him a second time.

"Falnas? You're... you're dead. Mercer said – "

"Mercer said a lot of things. But the two biggest lies he told were that Karliah killed me... and that Karliah killed Gallus."

"I... wh... how... what are you..." Brynjolf stammered, utterly confused. Falnas felt for his poor friend, but he'd soon be over his confusion.

Sapphire completed the startle-Brynjolf hat trick, by becoming visible herself and saying, "It's true, Brynjolf. Mercer's been playing us. Like fucking marionettes."

Brynjolf was now completely struck mute, until Karliah asked, "Is anyone in there?"

"Uh y... yes, but..."

"Then we can't discuss it in the cistern yet. Come on, follow us to a safe spot where we can explain."

Brynjolf's eyes went to Falnas. "I'm not sure if..."

"Don't worry," Falnas said. "It's not a trap. Trust me, Brynjolf, we're friends, right?"

"I... suppose so."

"Come on, let's go somewhere we can light some torches, so we can show you our proof."

Reluctantly, Brynjolf followed them back to the older section of the Ratway, where Karliah led them to a small room that looked like it had once belonged to the people that cleaned the sewers, to store their equipment. All of it was gone now, just two stone benches opposite each other.

They explained the whole thing to him, showing the diary. Falnas could tell Brynjolf was struggling with the truth, but he eventually accepted it. He went to get Delvin, and they told him the story too, after he overcame his surprise at seeing three people who were highly unlikely to be together in one place without killing each other. Delvin's acceptance of the truth went in a similar way, except that he was more relieved than Brynjolf. At least the Guild wasn't cursed.

As they sat in the old cleaners' room, all five of them, Falnas asked, "So what's this whole business with us not being able to walk around openly anymore?"

"Oh, that," Brynjolf said. "We're about to hold a meeting on that, when Vex is back."

"Can't invite you though," Delvin said, "Mercer's still in there. Bloody lyin' prick."

Falnas nodded. "Let us know when it's done, alright?"

Delvin nodded. "We'll be back in an hour or so."

They waited in the dismal underground storage room, not looking forward to sitting there for over an hour.

Turned out they didn't have to wait that long. Footsteps came running, straight for them and with weapons drawn, they leapt to their feet.

"Think they betrayed us?" Karliah asked.

Falnas and Sapphire simultaneously answered, "No."

It was Brynjolf alright. "You lot," he announced, panting from the sprint, "We had announce your return a bit more suddenly. Delvin's breaking the news right now."

"What?" Karliah hissed, "You did what?"

"It's Mercer," Brynjolf explained. "The bastard, he... Come on, I'll show you."

They returned to the Ragged Flagon, Brynjolf leading them inside, while quietly saying, "They're still dealing with it. Give 'em the time to let it sink in."

The looks that greeted them went from curious to hostile, but except for Tonilia, only Initiates were there, and thankfully, Tonilia's expression was entirely neutral.

The second thing they noticed, behind Mercer's counter, was the double doors of the vault, standing open. Revealing an entirely empty room.

"Dirty knobhead's cleaned out the vault," Delvin growled redundantly. "Been doin' it over the course of sev'ral days. Shoulda realized when we kept seein' 'im, movin' sacks around."

"So... Falnas asked, "We're penniless?"

Delvin nodded. "As good as. Got a few small things left. Most's gone though."

"On the bright side," Brynjolf said with a faint smile, "If people aren't convinced he's the rotten apple in all of this, it'll be a cold day in Oblivion."

"Crisis meetin'," Delvin announced. "All you lot," he meant the Initiates, "Clear off. Ragged Flagon's taken for the next hour."

With mutters and grunts, the Initiates vacated the Flagon.

Vex had to be brought up to speed when she returned, which was an arduous and drawn-out process, because well, it was Vex, but eventually, she accepted what had happened, and with a lot of complaints, sat in at the meeting table.

In Guild tradition, the meeting was carried out with the Ragged Flagon completely dark, snares set at all the doors, and only three candles on the round table the participating members sat at.

"Roight," Devin announced. "With everyone clued in, we need to start discussin' strategy."

The room was utterly dark, save for the candles illuminating every member's face. Everyone leaned into the table, so the words were as quiet as possible. Despite the circumstances, Falnas did take a moment to appreciate how connected this all was. Even intimate. It was like a secret little boys' club, only for adults.

Karliah sat next to him, her leg touching his. He risked a quick glance at her face, and was again struck by how beautiful she was, the candlelight flickering against her purple eyes. She was concentrated on Delvin and hadn't noticed him looking.

Brynjolf broke the spell on him by saying, "We've got two problems. One, our vault's cleaned out. Not a life-threatening problem, but one we need to fix right away, because you can bet that a lot of those Initiates won't be coming back after this, even after an hour. More will renege if they realize we can't pay 'em."

Vex contributed a hissing, "Fair weather friends. I see one who walked out on us, I'm beating him up right in the street."

"Yes, well, this leads us to the other problem," Brynjolf said. Right, the guard suddenly becoming more aggressive. How had that happened? "The problem we'll call the Lioness situation."

Lioness? Hadn't he heard that before? Oh, right, the blonde vigilante.

"Falnas doesn't know about that yet," Sapphire said. "Karliah neither, obviously."

"Roight," Delvin said with a nod. "Long story short, Mjoll the Lioness?"

"Yeah," Falnas answered. "I know her."

"Knew her," Brynjolf corrected. "She was fished out of the canal a few days ago. Naked, nibbled on by all kinds of fauna, and very much dead."

So that was why. Dammit who'd been that stupid? The Guard would always look the other way as long as people didn't start dropping bodies. A few brewers, that could all be overlooked, mostly because there wasn't a clear suspect, and the only one who could be a clear suspect was bankrolling the corruption in the Guard, but this? A highly-respected member of the community, someone the citizens looked to for safety, murdered? The Jarl wouldn't let this stand, and the Guard would have no choice but to stop turning blind eyes to all the crime. "What kind of stupid latrine brain would bump off Mjoll?" Falnas asked incredulously. "You'd have to be pretty daft to do something so unnecessary and stupid."

"Think on it, mate," Delvin said. "It happened on the evenin' you left, prob'ly. Wasn't there someone we'd been natterin' to that day?"

Was there? Oh, of course. There was. "The Brotherhood girl?"

"You bet." Brynjolf nodded. "They found Mjoll dead by a crapload of stab wounds. Searching her house, they concluded that she was killed in, or near, the bath tub, because it still had water in it and blood everywhere."

"Weren't no muggin'," Delvin said. "Was a right royal assassination. Perfect preparation an' timin', but sloppy execution. Typical for younger Brother'ood members."

"I think we all suspect," Sapphire said casually, "who hired that little shit."

"So does the Guard," Vex said. "They've cut Maven off, no more favours, no more looking the other way. And here's the kicker..."

Delvin completed, "... they done declared the Guild to be Maven's private gang. Which means..."

Falnas sighed. "We're all accessory to murder."

"We gotta do summat 'bout both of these problems, mate," Delvin said. "An' we gotta do it quick."

"Any ideas?" Karliah asked. When she was met with challenging looks from across the table, she said, "I'm back, I was exonerated, and I'm still part of this Guild. In fact," she added, "with Gallus dead and Mercer gone, I'm acting head of this Guild, aren't I?"

Scoffs and snorts came from all sides of the table except Falnas.

"Steady on," Delvin said, gentle but decided. "I reckon it's best that all of us together act as head o' the Guild for the time bein'."

Karliah shrugged. "As you wish. But anyway, any ideas?"

"Delvin had something, didn't you, Delvin?" Tonilia said, in her always-gentle voice.

"Yeah, set some things in motion for problem number two at least. Reached out to my Brother'ood contacts. Guard'll probably get the sticks out o' their bumholes when they catch a culprit. So we give 'em one."

"Ouch," Falnas said. "Going to make Brotherhood girl swing from a rope?"

"Nah, mate, better. Brother'ood girl's gunna give us a name. Then we turn Brother'ood girl over to the Guard. She gives them a name, then Brother'ood girl 'miraculously' escapes."

"That counts as evidence. Guards arrest Maven," Brynjolf took over, "Guards do whatever the blazes they want with her. Guards are content. Guards get off our backs."

"And the Maven problem's been dealt with too, then?" Sapphire finished. "No more bossy Maven telling us what to do and making us risk our necks. Two birds with one stone."

"Wot I was thinkin'," Delvin agreed.

"And problem number one? If we can't pay the Initiates, we'll end up with rogue thieves everywhere, and that could mean our downfall."

"You and Delvin know this Brotherhood chick," Brynjolf said. "It's best if you two occupy yourselves with that. Meanwhile, I suggest Vex, Sapphire and I go steal some things of a very high value to make sure we can keep paying the Initiates and pay the most pressing costs. I might have an idea. Tonilia will have to be working overtime."

"I can handle it."

"What about Karliah?" Sapphire asked. "She's back right? So she can pull her weight."

Karliah responded before Brynjolf could. "Don't worry. I've got something I can do. Something no one else can."

"It's gonna be tryin' times," Delvin said, "But we'll pull through."