Chapter 23

Tirdas, the 28th of Midyear, Year 202 of the 4th Era

Karliah wanted to meet her alone at a standing stone known as the Shadow Stone after the sun went down. The location was suspiciously convenient, just one full-days march down the road toward Riften and they should reach the ravine that led to the standing stone. Daenerys wasn't surprised that her small council wasn't happy about the idea of her meeting Karliah alone. They were mostly mollified when she explained her plan in more detail. She would not travel alone. She would take an escort most of the way. Her escort would stay behind once they sighted the Shadow Stone. That way she would keep to Karliah's conditions to meet her alone, but help would only be a Shout away. Ultimately, it wasn't their choice, but she did listen to their concerns. The most useful suggestion came from Camilla who urged her to at least take a sleeping potion so she could sleep through the day's journey and be fully rested for that night.

Daenerys took Camilla's advice. When the sleeping potion wore off, they had already made camp for the day. Nothing important had happened while she slept. She finished her meal, donned her armor, and set forth with a small party: Lydia, Faralda, Val, and Vignar with Aela and Barbas scouting ahead. The path up the ravine was steep, crooked, and rocky, but little more than a casual stroll compared to climbing the Throat of the World. They reached the Shadow Stone after a short climb. Aela and Barbas returned to give their scouting report. As far as Aela could tell only one person had disturbed the trail recently. Barbas confirmed that a Dunmer female had taken the path. He had also so circled downwind of the Shadow Stone and reported no one else but her around.

"Thank you both. I didn't think she was leading me into an ambush, but it pays to be cautious." She looked over her followers. "I go on from here. Make camp and don't panic if I don't come back immediately. If I'm not back by morning, come and get me." Which would be in less than five hours given the short summer nights in Skyrim. Not that long, but still long enough to get in trouble.

Val gave her a serious nod. Lydia scowled. Barbas jumped up and licked her face.

Vignar clasped arms with her. "Be alert shield sister."

Aela clasped arms as well. She gave a significant glance at the moon. "I'm sure you'll be fine, but if you call, I will come."

Daenerys walked the short distance to the Shadow Stone alone. The name was something of a misnomer. It wasn't a single monolith. Instead, there was one large standing stone surrounded by a circle of stones. She noticed that the constellation of the Thief was just above the circle of stones as she made her final approach. It felt less like an omen and more like the gods were playing games with her again. Apparently, it was Nocturnal's turn to play.

Daenerys didn't see any sign of Karliah, but the circle of standing stones gave her plenty of places to hide and it didn't take a master of stealth to hide on a dark night. "Karliah. I'm tired of the games. Come on out and tell me what you want."

"Bold words, Lady Targaryen," came a voice from very close behind her.

Daenerys spun around to discover herself nose to nose with a woman who had to be Karliah. The word Iiz was on the tip of her tongue, and she almost Shouted it at the woman who startled her.

Karliah was a dark-skinned woman and much younger than Daenerys expected. If she was human, Daenerys would have put her in her twenties, but she was a Dunmer with an almost grown child of her own, so she had to be much older than that. Her hair color was hard to judge by the light of the moon, most likely a reddish-brown like her son. She was attractive even by human standards, but her features were too sharp to be human: pointed nose and chin, sharp cheekbones, and ears that stuck out like knife blades. Aela was right about her eyes. Even in the moonlight they were obviously a vivid purple, just like her son's eyes, and Daenerys's own.

Daenerys focused on those purple eyes and let go of the Shout that she had almost released. She suppressed her anger and frustration at the games. "So, you're Karliah. Interesting," she commented in a nonchalant tone. "You and your son are the only people that I've met in Skyrim with purple eyes. In my homeland purple eyes are a sign of Targaryen blood."

"It's rare among Dunmer," replied Karliah, "but not unheard of. Are we going to talk about our pretty eyes or about business?" She had a sharp no-nonsense tone to her speech.

Games, Daenerys reminded herself. Karliah liked having the upper hand. "If you're finally willing to talk business, I'm listening. What is it that you and Nocturnal can offer me?"

Karliah's eyes briefly widened in surprise before she controlled herself. "Whatever Mercer Frey may have told you, he does not speak for Nocturnal. You cannot trust him."

"But I can trust you?" asked Daenerys.

"You can trust promises that are sealed by oaths, and this night I will take you to Nocturnal. She speaks for herself."

"Hmm," Daenerys watched Karliah for a few moments. She decided that she owed Barbas a big meaty bone for his warning. "Very well, since I am to speak to Nocturnal, we can skip the pleasantries. A warning before you lead me to your mistress. If I am not back by dawn, it is your son who will pay the price."

If Karliah was worried, she gave no sign. She merely nodded her head. "Then follow me very closely. Don't dawdle and don't stray from the path. It is easy to get lost, and my son's life depends on you not being foolish." Karliah placed her hand on the central monolith. For a moment the surface of the monolith seemed to be replaced by the night sky with the constellation of the Shadow ascendant. Then the stars faded. Where there had once been a solid stone there was now a dark shadowy path. Karliah immediately stepped forward and started walking down the path.

Daenerys quickly followed Karliah. The path led in the direction of what had previously been a solid cliff but was now a dark ravine. As they entered the ravine, the high walls blocked the light of the moons, and they had only starlight to see by. Karliah was barely visible, just a slightly less dark presence in front of her. Karliah was most discernable by her movement even though her steps were silent and made not a sound. Daenerys reached out to either side, hoping to find the wall of the ravine to help guide her, but her hands touched nothing. She wondered if this was yet again another game being played by Karliah, but the thief had seemed serious. As their journey continued Daenerys had the feeling that they weren't alone. It wasn't a feeling of being watched. Instead, she had the sensation that they weren't the only ones traveling this path. She had the eerie sensation that if she just stepped a little way off the path that she would walk into a stranger walking beside her. However, following Karliah was as difficult as following a black cat at night. Daenerys didn't dare take her eyes off her guide.

Half a year ago in a room shrouded in darkness, she and Brelyna had traded secrets. In that conversation Brelyna had mentioned Shadow magic and that it was rumored to have the power to reach into other worlds. Daenerys had tried to research Shadow magic at the College of Winterhold, but she had found nothing but speculation. Shadow blades had definitely existed. They had the ability to leech the life of others. They could also step through shadows, but everything else was just conjecture. The books she read speculated about shadows being echoes of other worlds. That shadows could be manipulated. That what might be could change what is, what was, and what will be. She had written it off those tales as unreliable, but now following Karliah she had to wonder… If Shadow magic was real, then surely it fell under Nocturnal's domain. Were the figures in the darkness shadows of herself and Karliah? If she dared step off the path, would she find herself in a different world altogether? Or would the shadows simply consume her?

The ground beneath her shifted from uneven ground to hard and level stone, and the shadows ahead started to lift. She could more clearly make out Karliah as a person rather than just a presence in the dark. With each step the way became clearer until they emerged into an enormous chamber lit by burning braziers. They were clearly underground; the roof was indistinct but present. The floor was paved with large stones. Ahead of them was a stairway leading up to another level. Daenerys glanced behind them and saw nothing but darkness. She quickly returned her eyes to Karliah and stopped just in time to avoid running into her.

Karliah turned to face her. She looked both pleased and amused. "Welcome, Lady Targaryen, to the Twilight Sepulcher, heart of Nocturnal's power on Mundus, and home to the Nightingales. Few who have not dedicated their souls to the Night Mistress have ever set foot in these halls. Stay close to me. I am permitted here, and you are an invited guest, but there are guards. We will be challenged."

Daenerys was impressed, but she did her best not to show it. "Lead on. If we are to return before dawn, we should not dawdle."

"Very true," agreed Karliah. "This way." She turned and started up the steps.

Daenerys followed staying close. The stairs led up two or three stories before they leveled off. As they reached the top of the stairs a figure that Daenerys could only call a ghost stood before them. The figure was a man wearing leathers in the same style favored by Galdrus and Karliah, but his form seemed to be made of fog or mist because she could see right through him.

"Karliah," spoke the ghostly man in a voice that sounded entirely normal. "You return with one that I sense is not one of us, nor is she garbed as an initiate. I love you dearly, but she may not pass."

"I have done as I have been bidden by Lady Luck herself." Karliah replied slowly as if merely speaking was a great effort to her. "This is Daenerys Targaryen, the Dragonborn. I've been commanded to bring her to Nocturnal." Karliah reached into a pocket of her cloak and withdrew some kind of talisman on a chain. "Let us pass, Gallus, so I may avenge your death."

The ghost didn't budge. "You must give the token of Nocturnal's favor to her. She must wear it, if she is to pass."

"Very well." Karliah turned back to face Daenerys. Where before she had been stoic and cocky, she was now looked upset. "Here. Put it on," she snapped at Daenerys.

Daenerys took the item on a chain. It was long enough to be a necklace. She expected the figure to be a nightingale, but it was a raven instead. She slipped it over her head. "Done."

"Now may we pass?" asked Karliah.

The ghostly figure nodded. "You may." He stepped aside, but still watched them with crossed arms. "Karliah, how is my son?"

"He is fine, my love. He has grown into a strong man and followed in his father's footsteps. He is a Nightingale now, like his father."

"Like his mother," said the ghost. "Mercer Frey?"

"He still lives, but not for much longer," promised Karliah.

"Good," replied the spirit, and he faded away as if he never was.

"Walk with the shadows, Gallus," said Karliah to the darkness with the solemn finality of someone saying good-bye. One of her hands darted to her face, perhaps to wipe away a tear, not that Daenerys could tell from behind her.

"So, this is personal, then?" asked Daenerys.

Karliah turned back to face her. "Yes, it's personal." She looked over Daenerys. "I thought you would be older. Funny that none of the stories about you ever mention how young you are. Have you ever had someone betray your trust? Or lost someone you love?"

Daenerys barked a bitter laugh. "Betrayal knows not age." She hesitated, but Karliah had just had one of her secrets revealed and Brelyna had taught her that exchanging secrets was a powerful way to build connections with another. "Khal Drogo." Even after all this time, just his name brought back memories. "My first husband, he was my sun and my stars. He was dying from an infected wound. Healing magic was rare in my homeland. Nor were potions so advanced. I turned to a witch, Mirri Maz Duur, to save him. I had protected and sheltered her. I trusted her. She told me there would be a price to heal him, a life for a life. I told her that I would pay her price. The cost was my unborn child. She did heal him, but only his body. He lived, but his soul was gone. There was nothing left of the powerful warrior I loved. Just a husk that still breathed air."

"I apologize if I gave offense." Karliah bowed slightly. "You are correct. Loss and betrayal know no age. What happened to the witch? Did you receive justice?"

"I claimed vengeance. I had Mirri Maz Duur bound to a pole atop my husband's funeral pyre, and I burned her alive. Whether it was justice?" Daenerys shrugged. "That's for the gods to decide."

"Good for you. Perhaps you have a Dunmer heart to go with your eyes. Come on, we should keep moving." She turned and headed down a corridor.

Daenerys followed Karliah into a dimly lit corridor. The walls, floor, and ceiling were all built from large stone blocks smoothed by the passage of time. The construction was different from the Nord barrows that Daenerys had visited. Except for the poor lighting, it reminded her of the interior of the great pyramid of Meereen. It felt like they were inside a building that just happened to be underground rather than inside a place that had been excavated. "If you can walk and talk at the same time, I would like to hear of Gallus and how Mercer Frey betrayed you both."

"Hmm, I suppose you need to know. We don't have time for the details, but I can give you the important parts. I came to Skyrim to join the Nightingales. It's my legacy, handed down from generation to generation. The Shadow Stone is one of the few places in Tamriel where one can access the Twilight Sepulcher. After I became a Nightingale, I visited Riften. It was as corrupt back then as it is now, but even more chaotic. Gallus was the guildmaster for the Thieves' Guild, but I caught him trying to pick my pocket. I joined the Guild the same day. Mercer was his best friend. We were inseparable the three of us. I offered them some training and got them inducted into the Nightingales. Those were the good days..."

As they continued Daenerys became aware of the scale of this place. It wasn't just a corridor leading through the dark. They passed doorways, intersections, and crossed through large rooms. It was practically an underground city. Karliah had mentioned guardians, and Daenerys had the sense they were not alone, but she saw no one. As creepy as it was, it was a thousand times better than the shadowy path they had walked to get here. "So, what happened?"

"I don't even really know. Part of it was that Mercer drifted into the fencing end of the business. It's not always easy to unload stolen goods. A part of it was that Gallus and I were in love, and two young lovers prefer time alone. And then there was Maven Black-briar. Gallus and I thought it was a good thing that Mercer found his own lover, especially since she liked to play on both sides of the streets. As time went on Mercer spent less time thieving and more time aiding Maven with her schemes.

"However, we did have one project that brought the three of us together: the Eyes of the Falmer, two jewels described as each being larger than a man's fist. Technically, it wasn't even stealing to go after them. I believe you're aware that there are no laws against looting abandoned ruins?"

Daenerys laughed. "I am. Exploring abandoned ruins and killing bandits is how I make my money these days."

"High risk, high pay. I think every thief dreams of the ultimate heist. That one job that will set you up for life. The Eyes of the Falmer were our dream. We did a lot of work tracking them down. Stole some notes from an old fart of a wizard in Markarth. Blackmailed a linguist at the College of Winterhold to translate it for us. When we finally had the location, we returned to Riften to get Mercer. We had started the search together, and we intended to end it together…" Karliah sighed. "Not surprisingly for a Dwemer ruin, it was crawling with Falmer and charus. It's hard to just sneak past those. Falmer can smell you, and the bugs swarm everywhere. We had to fight our way through to the statue. The damn eyes were just as huge as the legend. To make a long story short, Mercer betrayed us. He set off a trap intentionally that flooded the room and trapped us inside. He was carrying one of the eyes. I'm sure he planned for the trap to kill us both and then he'd get the other eye, but Lady Luck smiled on me. I had a potion of waterbreathing on me. I got sucked out through a drain and lived. Gallus didn't make it." Karliah stopped moving. "I went back for him. The Falmer found him first."

And the Falmer were cannibals. "I'm surprised you waited this long for revenge." She said it as gently as she could.

"I found that I was pregnant not long after I escaped. The child was all I had left of Gallus. I couldn't drink Dibella's Tears. I spent years raising Galdrus and waiting. So, now you know." She took a deep breath. "Enough talking. We're here."

Here was a large circular chamber with a domed roof. Archways carved in the walls led off into shadowy tunnels. Images of Masser and Secunda in their various phases were carved on the floor in a circle depicting the monthly lunar cycle. A circular dais in the center of the room held a pool of what looked like a dark liquid that looked like liquid shadow. A circle of stone pillars curved like claws surrounded the pool.

Karliah strode up to the dais and halted outside the circle of claws. "I call upon you Lady Nocturnal, Queen of Murk and Empress of Shadow. Hear my voice!"

"Ah, Karliah. I was wondering when I'd hear from you again. I see you secured the personage we discussed." The voice was that of a woman and the sound of her voice seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere.

"As I promised. I have brought you Lady Daenerys Targaryen, the Dragonborn."

"Indeed, you have."

Even though the voice seemed to come from everywhere, Daenerys felt the weight of a presence shift to her. The presence seemed to come from just above the pool, even though there was nothing there.

"So, Daenerys, what do you have to offer me?"

Daenerys fixed her eyes on where Nocturnal's presence appeared to be centered. This time she had advance warning that she was going to be bargaining with a Daedric Princess. She had put a lot of thought into what she wanted from Nocturnal, and what she would give in return. "I'm afraid that I've brought no gifts for you Lady Nocturnal. I came here because of the promises made to me."

"I have made no promises to you, and Karliah knows better than to make promises on my behalf."

"Then perhaps Karliah should have taught Galdrus better, because he promised me aid against my enemies, information, and oaths to bind your Nightingales so that I could trust them."

"Did he?" The voice held no emotion and was all the scarier because of it's lack.

"Do you think me a fool to lie to you? You would see through any lies that I tried to speak. I was given promises on your behalf."

"Promises that were not his to make!" This time Nocturnal's voice echoed in the chamber.

Karliah dropped down and kneeled so low that her head touched the floor. "Please, he is still a child. I throw myself upon your mercy. The failure is mine for not teaching him properly. I will pay the price."

"Yes, you shall!"

While most would argue that interrupting an angry god was a bad idea, Daenery stepped forward. "Lady Nocturnal, while the boy may have spoken out of turn, I believe that we may reach an agreement to our mutual benefit."

"You have a proposal? How interesting. You may proceed."

"I was offered information, assistance against my enemies, and a binding oath from your Nightingales. I propose that you give me just that."

"Do you now?" The weight of Nocturnals attention sharpened. "And what could you possibly offer to balance that? Even your soul would not suffice."

"We both know that Mundus stands balanced on a knife's edge. If I fail, then Al-Du-In destroys the world which makes all promises meaningless."

"And? I'm still not giving my Nightingales to you for free. They may give you some aid, but no shadows will hide you from the World-Eater."

"But, what if I win? I am the Dragonborn, but I have also been proclaimed Ysmir, Dragon of the North. If the world does not end, then Al-Du-In is but the first step on my journey, and I would be bringing your Nightingales with me. Let us be honest. Your Nightingales are thieves, stealing gold, gems and whatever else catches their eye. I was promised something more valuable than any amount of gold – information. Instead of thieves, they will be my spies, stealing the secrets of my enemies and sabotaging their plans. While it is by no means certain, we both know where my road is likely to end - with me sitting atop the throne of the Empire. Imagine your Nightingales there by my side. Not just Karliah and Galdrus, but generation after generation. Your Nightingales would be the dark shadows hiding in the brightest light, ferreting out the secrets of Tamriel for me and my descendants, but also for you."

Nocturnal laughed. "My Nightingales in the White-Gold Tower? My, my, how very interesting. I hope you are paying close attention Karliah. This is how negotiations are done. You have surprised me Dragonborn. It is a most intriguing dream, but you will need to sweeten the pot. Knowledge is one thing. Souls are another."

"And souls you will have. I promised you generations. Your Nightingales will be my elite and highest-ranking spies. They would train my other spies and be their role-models. Do you think there would be a shortage of people willing to sell their souls to join the elite?"

"You are confident, but mortals can be so attached to their souls. What if you don't become Empress? What if you do become Empress, but have no volunteers?"

"My ascension to the throne is by no means certain, but the aid of your Nightingales will make it much more likely to happen. In that way our deal benefits us both." While she had tried to anticipate possible offers and counteroffers, she was largely thinking on her feet now. "As for a lack of volunteers, the deal on the table appears to be for the service two Nightingales: Karliah and Galdrus. If at any time the number of your Nightingales alive and serving House Targaryen falls below two, then myself or my descendent has five years to find a replacement." More than enough time for her and an eyeblink for a Daedric Princess. "If more than that goes by, then our deal is broken. Either I or my descendent will have to come to you and renegotiate."

"Three," countered Nocturnal. "Three is the most powerful number. Mundus, Oblivion, and Aetherius. Body, Mind, and Soul. Past, Present, Future. You are dov, how do you not know this?"

What did being a dov have to do with… Oh. "I am dovahkiin, but much that I knew was left behind when I donned this mortal flesh. I hear your words, and now I understand. Three Words to the Shout and three Words to the name of a dovah."

"Yes, and three shall be the number of our agreement."

"Three," agreed Daenerys. "Which gives me five years to find you a third soul or our agreement is broken."

"No and no," declared Nocturnal. "Three years. Not five. Karliah and Galdrus will I bind to you as your first two Nightingales, but you shall provide the third. Fail to do so within three years and your soul is forfeit to me."

Her soul was already forfeit to Hircine. Was it possible Nocturnal didn't know that? What would happen to her if she died and both Nocturnal and Hircine had a claim on her soul? Daenerys couldn't see them agreeing to share. More than likely they would rip her soul apart like hounds fighting over a carcass. "I will put my soul up as guarantee to seal our agreement. I will not pledge my descendants to likewise be at risk."

There was a long silence. Daenerys glanced over to look at Karliah. The Dunmer thief met her gaze and looked away her face expressionless.

After a bit more silence Nocturnal finally spoke. "I find the terms agreeable, but I have another agreement with Karliah. Mercer Frey has earned my disfavor. You must agree to aid Karliah in seeing him defeated. If you happen to run across a little item of mine that he currently possesses, that also goes to Karliah. I have a different token for you, Dovahkiin. Cut yourself and bleed into the basin."

Daenerys stepped up and pulled off her gauntlet. She used one of the sharpened spikes on her mace to slice the back of her hand and bled into the basin. When her blood hit the swirling black liquid the black liquid whipped out like a tentacle and struck the back of her hand where she cut it. The wound was so cold it burned, and she pulled her hand back. Her hand wasn't cut, but it was marked. She lifted up her hand to look at the scar more closely. What she saw wasn't a scar, but a tattoo depicting a golden cage.

"The mark of our agreement. You can pass it to a descendent by pressing the mark to them and willing it to pass to them. If in the years to come, your descendants fight among each other, I will not have my Nightingales caught in the middle."

She had to admit that it was a good idea to create a way of deciding which of her descendants the Nightingales served. She hadn't considered the possibility that her descendants might fight among themselves. She had only mentioned a dynasty to persuade Nocturnal. "What exactly does it do?"

"Karliah will demonstrate. Won't you, Karliah?"

Karliah looked sullen, but she stiffened then nodded. "As a Nightingale of Nocturnal, I pledge to serve Daenerys and House Targaryen in life and Nocturnal in death."

Daenerys heard the flutter of wings and the sound of a cage door snapping shut. She looked down at the mark and now there was a black bird trapped inside the gilded cage.

"Don't sulk, Karliah," said Nocturnal like a scolding mother. "You said you would pay the price, and so you shall. You and Galdrus both, but I don't think you'll find it too much of a burden. You were born for the shadows and the night. You will find as much joy in stealing secrets as stealing gold and jewels." The weight of her attention shifted back to Daenerys. "If she truly breaks her word, her fortune will grow steadily worse. If she dies foresworn, she won't have a pleasant afterlife with me. The mark will also shield you from a Nightingale's gifts. I think that more than fulfills my end of the bargain."

Daenerys curtseyed. "It does, Lady Nocturnal."

"Do try and kill Alduin. It would be a shame to go to all this trouble just for the world to be destroyed."