A/N: Hey, hey, whattup, my humans! I'm back with another chapter in the story! It's 2:24AM as I'm typing this, I have finals, so I'm sorry If I don't get much done! I've been really, really, REALLY busy lately studying, and was busy a few weeks ago because my birthday was May 30th. So, again, I'm sorry for not updating in a while, I'm still continuing, and let's get into the story, shall we?

"Karliah needs us? What for?" Valelia asked.

"I've got no idea, lass. But we need to go quickly; we have no time to lose." Brynjolf answered, tucking a dagger in his sheath before walking to the ladder of the secret exit, Valie trotting quickly behind him.

Ysgrig was leaned over the railing in front of the Bee and Barb, absorbedly studying every ripple and wave in the water of the canal below. Marcurio was next to him, yammering on and on about his "adventures in the arcane arts", and Ysgrig pretended to listen, nodding and occasionally adding an "I see" or two into the conversation. Sometimes he wished the mage would just put a cork in it and let him think in peace.

Two figures made themselves clearly visible in the corner of Ysgrig's emerald eyes, and he quickly turned around. "Valelia, have you found any news on Sarila?" He immediately asked, ignoring Marcurio's story, much to the mage's annoyance. Valie nodded, her auburn braids bouncing up and down. "Aye. Turns out, Mercer's taking her to some Dwarven Ruins called 'Irkngthand'." Valelia informed him. "Are you off to catch him? Might we join?" Ysgrig asked eagerly, grabbing his mace in the sheath on his hip without knowing it. Valelia looked Ysgrig up and down before pursing her lips and shaking her head, and Ysgrig slowly frowned. "No. I'm sorry, Ysgrig, but if you died in those ruins, Sarila would never forgive me for taking you. She's your sister, for Talos' sake."

Ysgrig grew indignant. "You just proved my point. This is my sister, damn it! I've got every reason to go into those ruins and help get her out, whether I live or die!" He growled, stomping his foot and walking a few steps away from the group. "Ysgrig. Come back here and let's talk this out." Marcurio called out to him. Ysgrig sighed and returned, running a tense hand through his auburn hair. "You're right. You're right. Apologies…I just got a bit overexcited." He quietly apologized. Valie thought for a moment and turned to Brynjolf, who hadn't uttered a single word in their entire conversation.

Brynjolf slowly nodded. "It couldn't hurt, lass. We'd need some extra men in case Mercer's got some tricks up his sleeve. I doubt you, me, and Karliah would be enough to take down Mercer." Brynjolf reasoned. Valelia nodded. "If you're absolutely certain ye want to come, you can. We're heading out about now. Brynjolf and I have some business to take care of with a contact. We'll try and meet ye on the road to Irkngthand."

Ysgrig nodded, thrill rushing through his veins. "Mark my words, I'll prove that you made the right decision. Thank you, thank you, thank you once more." Valie grinned and nodded in understanding, walking to the front gate with Brynjolf.

Ysgrig quickly turned to Marcurio. "We need to get ready. I think Kharjo would want to accompany us, and that Brynjolf fellow is right; we'll need all the help we can get." Marcurio stopped and pondered Ysgrig's words. "What about Lyvette?" He asked. "What?" "What about Lyvette? Wouldn't she want to go save Sarila?" Marcurio asked. Ysgrig stared at him for a moment. "Is this some kind of joke?" He asked, observing Marcurio's facial expressions. Marcurio shook his head. "I'm serious. Kharjo's coming, who would watch Lyvette? She once followed Sarila and I into the forest, and she's bound to do it again, especially now that she's got some weapon training."

Ysgrig opened his mouth to argue, but Marcurio did have a point. "Gods, I'm going to be the worst parent when my child is born…" He mumbled. "Alright, Lyvette can come, but only if she wants to, and if Sarila asks, it was YOUR idea, not mine." Marcurio adopted a smug grin on his face, pleased with Ysgrig's acceptance of his suggestion. "Certainly. With a master of the arcane arts her side, however, that little girl will have nothing to fear. Why, have I ever told you about the time I-" "Yes, yes, Marcurio. That's grand and all, but we really must be on our way." Marcurio frowned, but complied and followed Ysgrig into the inn.