The morning birds chirped loudly, and the sky was still dark as Brynjolf approached Riftweald Manor. He climbed the back ramp and stopped short of turning the door handle. Sighing, Brynjolf rested his head against the wooden door. Brynjolf could sense there was a lot more to the story Mercer had told him. He was still quite shocked that it had been Mercer that killed Gallus. Suddenly, the door flew open and Brynjolf stumbled forward in surprise.

"You're back." Mercer greeted him in a low voice.

"Aye, Delvin said you needed to see me?"

"Yes, come in." Mercer shooed his guards out the door and locked it behind him. The two men walked downstairs and came to a wardrobe in a backroom.

"Mercer?" Brynjolf questioned, confused. Mercer didn't say anything and deliberately tapped around the sides in a code that revealed a hidden room. Brynjolf followed him into a little office space that had a single desk and a chair.

"So, I'm sure you've figure out by now that I haven't told you everything. Have a seat." Mercer leaned up against a wall and Brynjolf sat obediently in the chair. "I've received a letter that confirmed my suspicions. Karliah has returned and she's out for my head. I'm going alone to face her."

"No, I won't allow it. I will go with you." Brynjolf interjected.

"I'm afraid I can't let you do that. I've not only been planning my retirement, but yours as well, Bryn."

Brynjolf cocked his head to the side and furrowed his brows. "I'm not sure I follow."

"You know I'm not the sentimental type. I wanted to ask you to come with me for years. I could never find the right time to ask. We can give this life up, Bryn, and we'll never want for anything. Obviously, this can't happen if you're dead. All these years I've been funneling my fortune into assets in the Imperial City, in Cyrodiil. I've mansions, servants, enough coin to last us ten lifetimes. Will you come with me and leave this life behind?"

Brynjolf sat back and thought to himself for a moment. "This is the only life I know…What value will I be in a strange land?"

Mercer shook his head. "That's the beauty of it. We did our time, lying, cheating, stealing…" Mercer's voice trailed off.

"I…Yes, I will go with you, Mercer. But what if she were to get the best of you? What then?"

Mercer huffed, "It sounds like you have very little faith in my abilities. All the same, if she were to strike me down, I have instructions, deeds, and letters set away for you in my safe. My fortune will be yours and yours alone. I'm sure you'd be more than capable of picking the lock."

Brynjolf looked down and rubbed his eyes, "So, what exactly is it that you are planning to do?"

"Well, once I kill that bitch, I am hoping to return with…a gift. Something for the Guild that I've been hunting for years. You could say it's a 'going away' present. I was planning on stepping down and handing the Guild over to Edvind upon my return. Simple, and straight to the point, really. I've every confidence Delvin will not object to my decision. I've already asked Vex, Delvin and Tonilia and they are quite content with their duties and have no desire to take my place."

"Aye, Mercer. I trust you." Brynjolf rose to his feet and went to leave. He worried about Mercer's safety but didn't want to speak further about his concerns. He felt a firm hand on his shoulder and when he turned their lips met in a long, passionate kiss.

"C'mon…" Mercer whispered, indicating the bedroom was to be the next stop.

Radiant gold flames danced in the fireplace and dimly lit the room. The two wasted no time in freeing each other from their clothes. Mercer gently eased Brynjolf to the bed, their lips still touching. The sound of the fireplace crackling paired with the sound of their passionate kisses. Mercer felt his own cock hardening and the heat of his lust rising in his neck. He brushed Brynjolf's long, red hair to the side and moved down slowly to kiss and suck Brynjolf's neck and shoulder. The light scent of cedar wood emanated from Brynjolf's hair. With each breath he drew, Brynjolf could also feel the heat of his own desire building quickly. Mercer's breath quickened in excitement as he moved down his lover's body. He wasted no time in taking all of Brynjolf's length into his mouth. Brynjolf let out a low groan and tried desperately to control his excitement, for fear of coming to quickly, as Mercer was very talented with his mouth.

"Mercer…" Brynjolf looked down and shook his head. Mercer stopped for a moment and smiled. Brynjolf reached over to the small nightstand next to the bed and grabbed a small jar of balm from its dresser. With a quick motion, Mercer scooped up a generous amount with two fingers and gently applied it to his lover's tight asshole. Minutes passed and Mercer made sure to take his time readying his lover's body. He softly pushed his fingers inside. Brynjolf squirmed excitedly, "I think I'm ready for you."

Mercer leaned forward and their lips met again. Very slowly, he pushed his erect cock into Brynjolf's ass and Brynjolf let out a long, low moan as he felt Mercer's full length enter him completely. They laid in stillness, kissing each other to solidify their amorous bond. Mercer carefully began to thrust his hips as he could no longer contain his own desires. Low groans of immense pleasure escaped him as he began to thrust faster. Brynjolf couldn't help but prop himself up on his elbows in an attempt to delay the inevitable.

Sweat slowly streaked down the side of Mercer's face and he tightened his grip on Brynjolf's hips to keep himself from coming. Brynjolf suddenly felt the pressure build inside him and he threw his head back, releasing a loud cry upon his ineluctable release. The sight of Brynjolf's orgasm set Mercer off and he groaned loudly, releasing his seed deep inside of his lover. Mercer gasped and winced as he pulled his still erect cock from its place.

Exhausted, they both lay panting side by side for a long moment. Once he regained some mental clarity, Mercer tilted his head to the side and caressed Brynjolf's cheek lightly.

"Bryn, if she were to somehow return without me, do not trust anything she tells you to do. She's a master manipulator and she will tell you things, maybe even…" The thought of the possibility that Karliah might reveal their Nightingale connections ran through his head, "…she might even show you some things I don't wish to discuss. Don't fall for it."

"What do you mean?"

"Agh…" Mercer struggle to think of what to say, "Just trust me." The thought of Brynjolf becoming a worshipper of Nocturnal sickened Mercer. The naivety of youth was the major reason Mercer decided to take the oath as a Nightingale. Forever doomed to watch over the Twilight Sepulcher wasn't exactly how he imagined spending the rest of eternity. Brynjolf actively avoided religion and only mentioned that, as a Nord, Sovngarde was where he wished to go when he died. Upon taking the daedric oath, he would be fated to walk in shadow for eternity. Most followers of Nocturnal would be honored to serve their Lady eternally, but Mercer did not share the sentiment.


To be continued...

Also, my thanks to you for reading my story. I really hope you are enjoying it so far. I work on the new chapters daily and the new material will be coming soon. Thanks again!