Chapter 22: Care For a Friend

"How well did Isobel and Errick know each other?" Ronan asked.

"Very well, in fact. Errick was less outgoing about his past but eventually managed to open up to Isobel. That wasn't the case with Isobel, who was always vocal when we all travelled together. They made an interesting team."

"How close were they?"

"Close enough to remain friends for decades. Errick was even by her side when she passed on. That was a few years ago. She and Brynjolf died peacefully in their sleep together. Errick was visiting them and just so happened to be in the room when they died."

"So did Isobel and Brynjolf get together after all?"

"Yes, although Errick takes the credit for it. When we started traveling together the two of them seemed like an item, since they were usually making love together in their tents every night we camped. But I later found out that the two of them were not romantically invested in one another."

"So why did they sleep with each other?" Torygg asked.

"To them, their friends-with-benefits attitude was just a coping mechanism towards their problems. Isobel was feeling emotions she couldn't understand and Errick had some emotional baggage he refused to share with anyone. They knew that they would only work out as friends, and they managed to stay that way until Isobel passed on."

After everyone in the cistern had finished with dinner the Thieves Guild had went surprisingly quiet. Nuirun and Thrynn had fallen asleep in their beds and Mercer's business had been taken back to his residence at Riftwield Manor. Rune, whom Errick hadn't made an official acquaintance with yet, was reading a book near the fire pit. And the other senior members were back in the Ragged Flagon, drinking and discussing who they thought was trying to break the guild away from Maven. Only Errick and Isobel were still up now, and Errick was busy spinning his Elven sword around in his hand in the training room.

Isobel herself was sitting in a corner reading a book. This book was in fact the same one Errick had been reading on their way to Whiterun a couple of days ago. Errick had been reading it again and Isobel was very curious as to what it was about. After an hour of her trying to steal the book from him he gave up and let her read it, as long as she kept his bookmark where he placed it. Her facial expressions towards the scenes depicted in the book suggested that she found the writing comical.

"Please tell me you're joking." Isobel laughed.

"I'm not joking." Errick smirked, spinning his sword one last time before he thrust the blade forward, making his mark in the dummy in front of him.

"Do you seriously read this shit? It's way too comical and sappy for me."

"That's to be expected from a young woman who loves exploring many aspects of sex. Me? I know what I like and I stick with it."

"Lucky you, then. I didn't really know what I liked until I tried it. And there are plenty of things I know I don't like about sex."

"Example?"

"I did tell you I don't like when men are dominating me from behind. It takes away the presence of control from me."

"Right. The cock-shocker story. A cautionary tale for all Nords everywhere."

"What about you? What's a particular thing you hate about sex?"

"There's no specific thing about sex I hate. Sex is an art I have mastered over the years."

"That's crap. If you had mastered it by now you would have tried 'everything' rather than only bedding hot, non-beast race women all the time."

"Fine. I've mastered the art of 'casual' sex. Just a man and a woman in a bed having adult fun while all the other sex freaks do their own special ways of having sex."

Isobel looked up from the book. "You think I'm a sex freak?"

"Given all of the things you've done that I haven't? Yes, I think you're a sex freak, minx."

Isobel smirked at the gentleman thief as he sheathed his sword. "Have you ever fucked a girl while on the job?"

"It's never considered a job if I don't fuck a woman while on it at least once."

"What's the weirdest woman you had to fuck while on the job?"

"Hmm." Errick thought as he sat next to Isobel. "I'd have to say it was back when I was in High Rock about two years ago. I was about to hit the Treasury of this one noble in Daggerfall. Around midnight I managed to sneak into his castle and was just about to reach the vault when all of a sudden I see this pretty little lady turn around the corner. She kind of looked like you except she actually looked like a beautiful young woman."

"High Rock nobles always make themselves look beautiful." Isobel spoke. "I'm more than glad I'm not one of them."

"Right? Anyways, she had spotted me before I could reach the door. Suddenly my mind went blank and I couldn't think of what I needed to do. The next thing I know, I'm on my ass and she's right in my face. Damn, was she quick. Turns out, she was the captain of the guard in Daggerfall. I thought for sure she was going to have me put in irons."

"What happened next?"

"I got lucky. Literally. She gave me a choice: sleep with her or get thrown in jail. Favoring my freedom, I slept with her. But damn, she was probably the most controlling dominatrix I have ever had the pleasure of bedding. And she was a biter. My shoulder had bite marks in it for the next few days after the incident."

"Damn. I'd like to find out who she is so I can show her who's dominant." Isobel joked.

"I'll root for you but I don't think you'd win, minx. Anyways, after I had tired her out I made out like a bandit and took a prize from the Treasury so my heist would be considered a success in my book. We ran into each other the next day as I was preparing to leave the city. This time she was dressed in her armor and looked serious. I thought she was gonna try and take me to jail after all, but instead she told me to come back and see her again the next time I visited Daggerfall."

"Will you?"

"Depends on whether or not I go back to Daggerfall." Errick said smugly. "Your turn. Who's the weirdest person you've slept with while on a job?"

"There haven't really been any 'weird' people I've slept with while on a job, but I have had my fair share of romps while on the job. My favorite moment was when I decided to have a little fun with this Nord I knocked out when he caught me stealing some silver candlesticks from his castle. He just looked so cute knocked out on the floor like that. So I chose to relieve him of his undergarments and then one thing led to another."

"You didn't rape the guy, did you?"

"No! Of course not. I just gave him a quick blow while he was knocked out. And I stole his undergarments, like I said."

Errick sighed. "The things that go on inside your strange, perverted mind."

"Hey, from the looks of things that guy needed it. I'm not sorry for helping him out."

"Still, you don't just give a guy a blowjob while he's knocked out. He's not gonna know what's going on."

"Exactly. That means he ain't gonna miss the feelings of his balls still filled with his spunk."

Errick sighed again before turning to see Brynjolf walk through the doorway. The older man still looked tired from the long journey that got his legs aching, but he didn't let that stop him from walking in with his head held high. Errick liked that about Brynjolf. His age and experience in the Guild helped him continue to persevere even when his body aches from over-exerting himself. It was an admirable trait Errick hoped he'd be able to pull off when he hits his age.

"Lad, Lass." Brynjolf spoke in his soft voice. "I thought you'd be in bed by now."

Isobel put down the book. "We were just talking."

"Talking about what?"

"Errick and his silly book." Isobel smiled.

"Sorry there weren't any pictures in there for ya, Isobel." Errick joked. "Hope the tiny words didn't strain you."

Isobel retorted with a slap to Errick's arm.

"Slap it anymore and I'm gonna have a bruise, minx."

"You started it."

Brynjolf chuckled. "I can see the two of you are getting along." He reached into his suit and pulled out a letter, holding it out for Errick. "I forgot to tell you, Delvin managed to pull some strings so the vacant house near Riften's entrance is now yours."

Errick took the letter and found the key and the deed to Honeyside, as it was named. "Great. Now maybe I can get some decent sleep without smelling shit all the time."

"It's got all the fittings that we could afford but there are always improvements you can purchase if you feel it necessary."

"Hmm." Errick stood up. "Perhaps I'll go ahead and check it out now. Thanks." Errick patted Brynjolf's shoulder before walking out of the training room. Now Isobel and Brynjolf were alone. It was a weird feeling for Brynjolf since the last time they were in here he was trying to pry the amethyst he gave her from her hands. Isobel refused to surrender the gem, however, and Brynjolf had used force to try and take it from her, stepping on her neck to try and pry the gem from her hands. It was a harsh action that had Isobel in a terrible mood for weeks before she ran away from the guild and headed to Windhelm for her heist of Ulfric Stormcloak's amulet.

Suddenly she grabbed the book she was reading and arced her back upwards, her legs swinging up and over her body as she performed a one-handed back walkover, still holding onto the book as she stood upright.

"That was very impressive lass, that... flip?" Brynjolf said, trying to start some friendly conversation while they were both still in the moment. "Something I don't imagine a large, hardy Nord could pull off."

"I could teach you if you like." Isobel shrugged... before bursting into laughter. Brynjolf couldn't help but release a few chuckles, her laugh was so contagious. "I'm so sorry...just the image on you doing cartwheels-" But she couldn't finish her sentence as she doubled over.

Brynjolf looked at the fellow thief curiously as she continued to laugh. He stepped forward, not exactly sure what he and Isobel were going to do until she stopped her laughter and whipped out her dagger, the ebony metal scraping with its sheathe with a echoing 'shhing.'

"Viper!" She called theatrically. "You come here to my home, to my sanctuary, threatening my life as words of venom drip from your forked tongue!" Brynjolf brandished his own dagger and matched her stance. "Surrender now, else I shall wash my honor clean in your blood!"

"The day the Throat of the World is nothing but dust is the day I will grant you victory." He retorted with a grin, feeling like a small boy again as Isobel lunged at him.

"Then suffer the consequences, wyrm!" She cried as they entered the same array of stabs and blocks they had weeks earlier minus the brutality. Now, it was all light-hearted, and Brynjolf was starting to feel her free spirit rub off on him.

They made full use of their talents even in their play, using skillful moves and complicated combinations against the other as they dueled, Isobel going so far as to pull out some of her gymnastics to show-off smugly and Brynjolf resorting to using his strength to pull her in choke holds and shoulder locks that she had to fight and squirm to get out of, both of them laughing like children. Brynjolf was somewhat surprised when he made a stab only to have Isobel trap his dagger in her armpit, releasing a pained gasp as she fell to her knees.

"Damn you!" She wheezed, the dagger still under her arm. "To kill a retired knight...in their own home..." She wheezed and collapsed onto her back, Brynjolf kneeling over her and trying to stay in character. "The gods know what you have done...just...just tell my son I...I...!" And with a dramatic cough she fell limp and silent.

"As fearless in death as she was in life." Brynjolf said as he closed her eyes and took his dagger. "May her soul purge itself in the Void." Brynjolf waited, expecting Isobel to get up, to laugh and hit him, something. But she just laid there, black hair fanning around her face with her mouth slightly agape. "C'mon lass. I'm going to go get some sleep. You'll need to..." He shook her shoulder to no avail. "Isobel, c'mon!"

He sighed exasperatedly, he knew she was playing but he couldn't just walk away from her "lifeless" body, it didn't feel right. However, his annoyance was short lived as Isobel sprang up and pushed him over, pinning him to the stone floor.

"Weren't expecting that, were ..." But she trailed off, her smiling fading. He felt it too.

Here she was, straddling him on the cold floor with her hands on either side of Brynjolf's head, their faces locked onto each others in silent terror as they panted heavily from their work out. They were close...really close...

They had been this close before, only usually it was Brynjolf pinning her down, and it felt entirely different with her on top. He was frozen, his mind screaming at him to push her off but he made no such movement, she seemed to be in the same predicament as her stressed face looked down on him.

She was so striking at this angle, with her wispy hair fringing her face and her wide blue eyes above him like two small skies. Brynjolf felt his heart start to beat considerably faster and his face grow hot, he never felt so peaceful and so panicked at a woman's touch before, let alone simultaneously. And the longer they stayed in that position the more his rational mind seemed to cloud over and become numb.

And soon he found his hands caressing her thighs.

Isobel stared at Brynjolf below her, her face as tense and frozen as his. Her inner dialogue was cursing as hard as it ever has. To leave. To get up. To laugh and tease him and pretend nothing ever happened.

But she couldn't.

Blood was racing its course through her faster than a tornado, making her brain feel hazy in its wind and her lungs not getting enough air. She had never been fear-stricken and yearning at the same time before, it hurt and she didn't like it. She felt a surge of heat yet shivered as if she was cold when she felt his large hands on her thighs, her heart beating so loud it drowned out the voices screaming at her to get away.

This was her overstudy, her boss, over twenty-years her senior and he was making someone like her feel as vulnerable and clueless as a virgin. She felt so pathetic, so weak, and when his fingers slowly trailed up and held her hips she had to stifle a whimper lest she sacrifice all her pride, simply feeling the rise and fall of his chest beneath her was almost pushing her over the edge.

Isobel could see Brynjolf's eyes start to smoulder as they looked at her, making her feel even more exposed and scared, and as by some magnetic pull her lips lowered down without her control. Slowly she bent further and further down, and when the tips of their noses were touching she fiercely crushed her lips to his, closing her eyelids tightly as if to pretend what they were doing wasn't really happening.

Brynjolf didn't need any coaxing, he was kissing her back before he moved his right arm and hugged the small of her back into him, his other hand cupping the base of her neck as she cradled his head in her forearms. She tilted her head to mold their mouths closer together, and as they began to knead each other's lips the kiss turned more and more hungry, evolving into something utterly desperate as they pressed into each other. It was when Brynjolf broke away and started to trace rough, frenzied kisses along her jaw to her neck did she feel like they had to stop otherwise the swelling sensation building up in her chest would surely implode. She wasn't used to this, whatever it was, and all she was able to do was clutch onto him as if he was a lifeline as he frantically smelled and kissed her skin and hair.

She nearly jumped when he took her by the mouth again, and the electric shock she received as the tip of his tongue touched hers caused the softest of whines to penetrate their silence. Apparently Brynjolf heard it, for it was as if that small sound woke him up from some sort of reverie, causing him to brashly push her off and shuffle away from her as if she was contagiously ill. Isobel was still too drunk off his kisses to react to his rejection right away, taking a few moments to catch her breath.

"Isobel...lass...I...we can't..." He panted. "We can't happen."

"Why?" Isobel slurred, placing a hand on his knee but he threw it off. That seemed to bring her back to reality. "Why can't this happen?" She repeated angrily.

"Just...let's just forget this ever happened...okay, lass?" Brynjolf flustered and made to get up. Isobel jumped up and blocked him from the exiting the room, glaring up at him fiercely.

"I don't want to forget." She hissed. Brynjolf scoffed, she could tell he was getting upset.

"I'm too old-"

"As if Ysolda was so much more older than me!"

"She was a one night stand-"

"Why can't I be a one night stand?" Isobel pleaded.

"Because you're better than that!"

"No, I'm not! I have one night stands all the time!"

"Isobel, please!" Brynjolf snapped. He grimaced, scowling at the floor, and Isobel could see the anger and regret through his downcast lashes. Her whole body seemed to become weaker as she made to rest her head on his chest.

"Please, Brynjolf..." She couldn't believe she was begging, that she was one step above getting down to her knees. She didn't want whatever that swelling feeling was to be so fleeting, she wanted to linger on it, try to understand it and maybe identify it. She could feel Brynjolf tremor ever so slightly as he grabbed her shoulders and pushed her back.

"Listen to me, lass. Don't speak. Listen." He said and looked into her eyes. "I'm old enough to be your father, I'm too old. Understand?" Isobel shook her head defiantly before he continued. "If Mercer found out that his right hand man, his most trusted, was involved with someone who threatened him, it would put you in danger. And he would find out, I wouldn't be surprised if he's watching us now." Isobel's eyes darted the corner of the room, half expecting Mercer to be there with his icy gaze.

"And, most importantly." Brynjolf said sadly. "You'll be leaving in a few months."

That hit Isobel hard. She knew he was right, even if she got the letter bidding her safe return to Cyrodiil in that moment she would start packing her bags. Despite the friends she made in Skyrim, they could never replace the family she had in the Imperial City.

"You're a pretty cool guy...y'know..." She said awkwardly. "I uh...hope this doesn't make things weird between us..." Brynjolf nodded.

"Y-Yeah."

Isobel knew they were close to leaving, the conversation was wrapping up, and as Brynjolf made to pass her she couldn't fight against the impulse to hug him. She wrapped her arms around him tightly, her hands clenching the black leather. She felt so juvenile, like a child with separation anxiety as she breathed in as much of his scent as she could, knowing it could be her very last chance. Brynjolf patted her back lightly before unlatching himself.

"Now we'd better get some sleep, lass." Brynjolf spoke calmly, walking past her without another word.

Isobel just stood there in silence for a few minutes, going over what had just happened in her head. What were those feelings she had felt right then? That whole experience was not something she had experienced with any of her previous lovers over the past six years of her life in the Thieves Guild. It was intoxicating and she knew she wanted more, but she didn't know why. Why did Brynjolf make her feel like this?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a whistle that dropped pitch until Errick made a noise to resemble someone hitting pavement.

"There you were flying like a dragon until you lost your wings and fell from the sky." Errick joked.

Isobel turned around to hit - no, punch Errick in the face, but as her fist flew forward he caught her hand with a speed she had never seen. His iron grip on her fist made her pause for a moment.

"Were you watching us?" Isobel asked, anger pouring out of her words.

"I might have. Then again, I always knew this event was gonna happen no matter what, so I wouldn't have needed to."

"So what? Are you here to gloat? To say 'I told you so?!' Huh?!" Isobel's voice cracked a sob as she yelled at him.

"No." Errick said. There was no joking tone in his voice. "I came here because you might need a friend." Errick let go of her fist, surprised when Isobel didn't try to hit him again.

Isobel looked away from Errick. "Why do I feel this way?" She asked herself, feeling her eyes mist as tears threatened to fall.

"Damned if I know, Issy. Obviously you feel something towards Brynjolf. That's the long and short."

Isobel wiped her eyes and looked back at Errick. His brown eyes were sincere as he scanned her, wondering what she might say or ask for. "Errick?"

"Yes?"

Isobel felt herself swallow before she spoke her words in the form of a silent plea. "I need a distraction from what I'm feeling right now."

Errick didn't make any attempt to joke about what she was asking. He knew it was taking all of her will not to beg for him to fuck her brains out, but he knew that after she got so close to Brynjolf that her itch needed to be scratch. And he knew part of him was willing to do it for her. She was his new partner-in-crime, and that meant that until they went their separate ways he was going to be there for her when she needs help.

"Let's go to Honeyside." Errick whispered, keeping his voice low. "Less ears there than in the cistern."

Isobel could only silently nod as he took her hand and guided her to his new home.

Back at Labyrinthian, Stryger looked at the mask worn by the Guardian of the Staff of Magnus, Morokei. The monstrous dragon priest had nearly killed him on multiple occasions as he had fought him, sapping him of his magic and throwing out spells with the intent to kill him. As Stryger had struck him down the priest crumbled and turned to ash and dust. Only the mask and the staff remained, which were now in Stryger's hands.

"J'zargo wishes to keep the mask." The khajiit stated as Stryger looked away from the trinket.

"I killed Morokei, J'zargo." Stryger responded. "It's rightfully mine."

"There hasn't been a lot of magical artifacts here that could help increase my power. Besides, you already have the Staff of Magnus. J'zargo doesn't think it's fair for you to have two magical artifacts."

"Doesn't matter. You keep what you kill. I killed Morokei, so I'm keeping his mask."

J'zargo sneered but dropped his argument, instead heading for the exit with everyone else. Stryger looked at the mask one more time before he brought it up to his face, securing it properly so that he could see clearly through it. Taking the staff and placing it in his satchel he joined them, opening the door for his friends to the exit.

"I just want you all to know," J'zargo started. "J'zargo considers you all good friends." He placed his hand on Onmund's shoulder. "You, Onmund, are my friend. And you, greedy elf, are my friend." J'zargo pointed at Stryger, who ignored the obvious jab at him for keeping the mask. "And this dark elf bitch-"

Brelyna instantly snapped at J'zargo's hurtful comment. "Says the cat that sleeps with a Fire Atronach."

J'zargo was about to retort when the door in front of them opened. There in front of them stood an Altmer in Thalmor robes. His hands were drawn out with an Elven dagger and a lightning bolt spell, and he looked ready to fight.

"Hand over the Staff of Magnus, traitor." The Thalmor assassin spoke. "Otherwise I will take it after every one of you lays dead in this tomb. That includes the Dark Elf bitch, the barbaric Nord, and-" The assassin never got a chance to finish his sentence as he was knocked back by a large fireball. Stryger turned to see J'zargo summoning more fire from his fingertips.

"Nobody talks to J'zargo's friends like that." J'zargo sneered.

Stryger let out a sigh of relief. "Glad you're still on our side." He then walked up to the Thalmor assassin, who was now laying on the ground and slowly dying from his burns. Stryger summoned a bound sword into his hands and had it pointed at the Thalmor's neck. The dying elf merely laughed in response.

"Do you really think that you can stop us all? The Thalmor will succeed with the Eye of Magnus. Then no one will be able to stand against us."

"You fools." Stryger spoke calmly. "What Ancano's doing with the Eye is not for the benefit of the Thalmor. It is a power no man or mer can control. And unless I stop you, the Eye will destroy the world. And no one will be around to rule anything because there will be nothing to rule."

"Spoken like a true traitor to your people. Don't you see? Elven supremacy is the only truth. The Thalmor are the ones who will bring about a new age for all of Tamriel. I would have thought you'd learn that when we destroyed your village a hundred and eighty years ago."

Stryger's eyes flared up in anger, but the mask of Morokei kept his eyes concealed. "What you did to my village was an act of terrorism on your own people."

"We were only purging the heretics like those inferior races that you all abided with. And we did spare some of your ilk, recruiting them into our cause. But you, with your blessed gift escaped from our grasp. And now my leader will know of your existence, and he will know of how it was you killed me. You won't escape the wrath that is the Inquisitor." The assassin started to laugh weakly, only annoying Stryger even more.

In one quick slash, Stryger slit the dying assassin's throat.

"May your soul rot in Oblivion for all you've done." Stryger sheathed his sword, watching as it departed from this world back to its own plane of existence. Stryger exhaled sharply, remembering how his mother had been burned alive in their collapsing house; how his father had been swiftly decapitated by a Justicar as they rode past him. These painful memories would resurface every now and then, and even though he was comfortable enough to talk to people about them it was still painful for him to remember.

Brelyna, J'zargo, and Onmund continued to stare at their friend as he walked forward. His shoulders were slumped and his posture was weak. It was likely a result of his fighting with Morokei, but it could have also been something the assassin had said. Brelyna knew about the death of Stryger's family so she wasn't at all surprised about what the assassin had said there. She was, however, surprised that the assassin would refer to his village as heretics. What made them heretical to the Thalmor? Was it a legitimate reason or a paranoid reason from the Thalmor themselves? Brelyna was unsure, as was Onmund and J'zargo.

They opened the doors to the outside world, and heard a terrifying roar up the mountain.

J'zargo was the first to look up. "What in Oblivion was that?"

"Sounded like a dragon." Onmund commented.

"That's not good." Brelyna chimed in.

Stryger stepped forward. "We need to take down that dragon."

"Why?"

"Because if it's nearby and catches on our scent we won't be able to hide. We need to take the fight to them and ensure that we can get out of here in one piece."

"But we've never fought a dragon before. It'll be suicide."

"Not if we work together. We're mages. We have control over the energies of Aetherius, and our numbers should be enough to face off against the dragon. If we can defeat Morokei then we can defeat a dragon. But only if we work together."

The members of Stryger's team were silent for a moment before J'zargo stepped forward.

"A dragon is a worthy challenge indeed. I will fight alongside you."

Onmund stepped forward. "My people were once enslaved by those beasts. If they have returned then it is my duty to stand by you and face this dragon."

Stryger looked towards Brelyna, who had remained quiet. "Brelyna?"

"Are you sure we can face off against a creature like that? Even after the challenges we faced inside Labyrinthian?"

"I am."

Brelyna sighed before stepping forward. "Then we should try and keep our distance. Use lightning magic to drain it of its magicka and the fling fireballs at it to take it down."

"Good idea, Brelyna. Let's move quickly, before the dragon comes to us." Stryger immediately charged towards the mountain path, followed closely by his friends. The cold wind pushed against their backs, seemingly guiding them towards their destination as they headed towards the dragon. They all felt fear towards what they were about to face, but also a sense of pride. Here was a group of mages running to face off against a dragon; a creature that had not been seen for centuries. They were uncertain what to expect but at the same time they were prepared to face off against their foe.

As they approached a large stone structure the dragon lay in wait above them. It sniffed around as unfamiliar scents could be caught in the wind. With this it flapped it's wings and began to soar into the sky. Once Stryger realized what was happening he pulled out his lightning magic, flinging it at the flying serphent as fast as he could. His friends joined suite; their spells annoying the dragon and forcing it to hover above them.

"Yol Tor Shul!" As the dragon shouted this a stream of fire came from its mouth, flying at the mages. Stryger acted immediately, throwing up the ward spell to deflect the blast. When the fire stopped J'zargo went and threw another lightning bolt at the dragon's face, causing the beast to grimace. It began to attempt to fly away, but Onmund and Brelyna acted fast, throwing their own spells at the wings of the dragon. The beast roared before it spun around, crashing at the feet of the mages. Stryger quickly pulled out a bound sword and approached the fallen dragon.

"Are you still alive?" Stryger asked.

The dragon looked up at the mage. "Morokei, Wo Siiv Hin Suleyk?"

"Speak sense, beast." Stryger threatened, pointing his sword at the dragon. "Or not at all."

The dragon cocked it's head. "You have our words, but you don't understand them. You are untrained, Dovahkiin. But if you take my soul all will be clear."

"What are you talking about?"

"Kill me as you had intended, Dovahkiin. I am already beaten, and Alduin will not appreciate failure. Perhaps you will be the one to bring him down, or perhaps there are more of you still scattered about. Either way, my fate is sealed and your destiny is about to be fulfilled. Saraan Saviik Se Keizaal."

Stryger brought his bound sword up and swung down on the dragon's head, killing it with one final cry from the beast. As the dragon's body went limp the flesh around it began to burn away, causing Brelyna and the others to back away. Stryger attempted to join them before a surge of power went through him. Suddenly he was getting glimpses of words from a language he began to understand. As the magic began to stop pouring into him a single word began to leave his lips.

"Iiz!" The word flew from his mouth, carrying a trail of ice towards the bones of the now dead dragon. Bones froze into place covered in ice, and the others could not believe what they had seen. Stryger turned to face them, unsure as to what happened.

"I- I can't believe it." Onmund finally spoke after what felt like eternity. "You're Dragonborn."

Stryger looked confused. "Dragonborn? What is that?"

"An old legend about mortals born with the blood of a dragon within them. They could learn to speak and shout just like the dragons, and some even led the Empire. The entire Septim dynasty was Dragonborn, ever since Tiber Septim conquered all of Tamriel and started the Third Era."

"So I spoke like a dragon just then?"

"More than that. You shouted. Dragons have the ability to use words as a shout, which can do an abundance of magical abilities. Just like what you did with the dragon bones there."

"So I'm Dragonborn." Stryger said, sounding as if he was trying to convince himself of what he had been told. "What does that mean?"

"It means that with the dragons returning we have a fighting chance to stop them!" Onmund spoke excitedly. "Dragonborns can harvest the souls of dragons to gain knowledge and power, much like you had done when you slayed the beast. You can defeat them and make sure they won't come back."

"Oh." Stryger said.

After that he immediately fell to the ground, losing consciousness before his head hit the stone.

Back in Windhelm, a full moon hovered above the decaying city, imbuing it's light for those leaving the temples, shops, and bars. Scarlai watched from above the walls, looking for Nilsine Shatter-Shield. The plan was to complete the sub-contract while returning the family's war hammer. It was a dark plan, even for him, but he decided to give this kill a bit of drama to please Muiri. He waited until he saw Nilsine leave the inn and began heading towards her home.

As she passed him he quickly dropped down the walls, war hammer in hand. The sound of his feet hitting the stone walkway was silent, even as Scarlai felt a slight ache on his knees as he landed. Nilsine was still unaware of his presence, which gave him plenty of time to line up the hammer to her head. She suddenly stopped as she noticed the shadow of a dark figure behind her, and before she could react Scarlai brought the hammer up before sending it crashing down into her skull.

Scarlai watched as her body crumpled to the floor, her head split open and bleeding all over the street. The feeling of sadness washed over him as he brought the hammer down to rest upon Nilsine's corpse. After all, he had been a resident of Windhelm for a long time, long enough to see Nilsine grow up. That sadness quickly died down as he brought a finger to her open wound and absorbed some of her blood.

"May your spirit find rest in the great beyond." Scarlai prayed quietly, standing up from the body slowly. He took a quick breath and sighed. Now that there was a body an investigation would be launched. He needed to leave the city for a time so that this whole thing could be blown over.

"Stop right there!" A familiar voice called out before Scarlai could make a run for it. He slowly turned to face his captor, knowing already who it was. The guard was in full armor and holding an iron sword in his hands, but he had the presence of a friend.

It was Tor.

Tor seemed to notice the similarities of the murderer with one of the residents of the city. The gray skin marked the killer as a Dunmer, but he didn't hold himself as a killer. Instead, For recognized the mer's stance as a friend.

"Scarlai?" The Nord asked.

Scarlai merely brought a finger to his lips, softly blowing air to indicate he wanted Tor to be silent. Tor attempted to speak again only to find his body freeze. Scarlai had casted a quick paralyze spell on the Nord, freezing him in place to give him time to escape. Motioning two fingers, Scarlai brought a few drops of blood from Nilsine's corpse and threw them at Tor's helmet, letting the magic flow in as Tor's mind began to be clouded.

"Forget that I was here." Scarlai whispered before he walked away. Tor's body became unfrozen, the effects of the paralyze spell wearing off as he attempted to stand from where he fell. Tor was unsure what had just happened but he had a nagging feeling he saw someone familiar. The sight of Nilsine Shatter-Shield's corpse reminded him that he had found her this way. Her killer had been standing over her body when he found her.

But he could not remember who it was that stood over her body.

Confused, Tor ran to get another guardsman, knowing full well that they would need a report on what had happened and that the Shatter-Shield family would need to be told of their daughter's murder.

It was late at night in Riverwood when Zacharius and Lydia had finally reached the Sleeping Giant Inn. After a long day's walk from Morthal to Riverwood the two of them were too tired to do anything besides enter the inn. The inn was quiet at night, with only the presence of the innkeeper and the crackling of a warm fire to serve as sound. Zacharius and Lydia stood at the counter, leaning on it to avoid falling over exhausted. The innkeeper looked up at the tired travelers.

"Can I help you with something?"

"Yes, my housecarl and I would like to rent the attic room."

"Attic room, you say?" The innkeeper asked, raising Zacharius's eyebrow. "Well, we don't have an attic room, but you can use the room on the left."

Zacharius put down ten gold. "Thanks. We've traveled from Morthal and require a night's rest. A friend of ours said the attic room at the Sleeping Giant Inn was the best place to catch a good night's rest. Guess she was wrong about the room being an attic room." He stepped away from the counter and headed to the room, Lydia following right behind. "Well, I guess the anonymous note belonged to her. Hopefully she'll let us rest for a bit before going into detail as to why she had us come here."

"A full night's sleep can do us some good." Lydia agreed, setting her backpack on the ground and stretching her body out. Zacharius followed suite and placed his bag on the floor. Their weapons and armor followed afterwards, and before they knew it they were comfortable in the small bed, ready to doze off.

Errick unlocked the house with the key he had been given by Delvin and opened the door into Honeyside. The house had been entirely furnished with everything he could possibly need; furniture, a bed, food and drink, and chests and wardrobes aplenty. Isobel walked in after him and looked around, nodding and smirking.

"This is a nice place." Isobel snickered. "Definitely worth it for you."

"I could get used to using this as a private location for storing any random crap the guild doesn't need that I steal. Maybe I'll end up enjoying this place." Errick walked over to the bed and placed his hands upon the green sheets of his bed. The bed was soft as he pushed his fingers into the straw mattress, but he lifted his fingers up quickly, bringing in his composure. He turned towards Isobel and looked her in the eyes. "I'll ask you this once. Are you sure you want to do this?"

Isobel shut him up as she crushed her lips onto Errick's mouth. Errick returned the kiss immediately afterwards, bringing his hands to her hips. The kiss deepened and their tongues battled for dominance. Isobel gripped Errick's hair, trying to pull at his braided ponytail that held his long hair together. Her hands moved down to his chest and tried to unbuckle the straps and belts that held his armor together.

She stopped when she felt him nibble on her bottom lip.

"Ow." She commented, backing away slightly. "What the fuck, Errick?!"

"Oops." He joked, snickering. "I forgot to mention something."

"What?"

"Since this is my house, you have to play by my rules."

Isobel attempted to speak back before Errick had her in his arms bridal style.

"No fair." She pouted.

"Hey, if it makes you feel better, we can have sex your way anywhere else besides my house. But in here, I call the shots. Understand?"

"Do I honestly have a choice?" Isobel asked sarcastically.

"Nope." Errick laughed, laying her on the bed. "Just get comfortable, for now." He began to work on removing her Thieves Guild armor. First Errick pulled off her gloves and left small kisses from his lips on her palms, getting shudders from Isobel. He undid many of the straps and buckles on the jacket, pulling her up slightly to remove it. Her boots followed soon after, and he untied her leather pants, pulling them down off of her body. He finally removed her breast bindings and undergarments, leaving her naked as the day she was born on his new bed.

Errick took a moment to examine her body. She didn't look very soft, where she wasn't boney she was muscular with barely any fat on her, and that included in her petite breasts. Her breath was already growing heavy as her stomach heaved and a light perspiration shone on her forehead, and Errick could tell she hadn't had a release in a long while and that he shouldn't keep her waiting.

He then worked on getting his own suit taken off. He pulled his gloves off and placed them on the dresser. His jacket fell off of his shoulders after that, revealing his figure underneath. He wasn't the strongest man, and his belly did have a slight flab, but he was by far in shape. He removed his boots and pulled down his pants and undergarments, revealing himself in all his glory.

Isobel watched as Errick crawled onto the bed, hovering above her. He planted kisses along her chin, moving up to her mouth as he caught her in a passionate kiss. Her lips opened just enough for him to slip his tongue into her mouth, beginning another battle for dominance. Eventually, he allowed her tongue to slip into his own mouth. Isobel took satisfaction in this, knowing that her tongue was still able to control herself and that he was letting her do this. He broke from the kiss and began to nibble on her ear, gaining a moan from Isobel's lips.

"You're going to be begging for me when this is done." Errick whispered. He started to kiss down her neck, bringing his lips to hover along her small, left breast. His left hand trailed so that it hovered above her hardened nipple on her right breast. As he slowly brought his lips down onto one nipple, his left hand began to pinch the other nipple, making Isobel moan.

"Mmm." Isobel hummed, attempting to lift her chest up so that Errick could finally suckle her.

Errick brought his lips down and began to rub his tongue along the hardened bud, rolling and flicking his tongue all over her. He slowly retreated before taking a quick nip on her nipple's tip, gaining a groan of approval from his partner in crime. He switched his positions and started sucking on her right breast, pinching the nipple he had left behind. Isobel knew how good her partner was at this, feeling shivers of pleasure running across her entire body that sent her into pure bliss.

Errick broke away from her breasts and moved up, kissing her forehead. He then formed a trail of kisses down her body, going from the tip of her nose to her lips, to her chin, down her neck, down her breasts, along her stomach and up to her pelvis. Isobel knew what was coming next, but Errick was making his efforts to perform the task annoyingly slow.

Errick hovered above her waist, bringing his hands to rest on her thighs as he slowly lifted them up and open. From analyzation, her pulsing core was already glistening with her arousal, and Errick knew how much she wanted for him to start giving her sex pleasure.

But Errick was a tease when it came to stubborn women like Isobel.

"Fuck you, Errick..." Isobel sighed as she felt his hot breath hitting her core.

"Say the magic word." Errick teased, letting his tongue flick her intimate spot.

Isobel frowned, but a moan still escaped her lips. Say the magic word? The fucking tease wanted her to beg for him. Isobel Woodwing does not beg for anyone. She attempted to say that before he licked her again, instead making a coherent mumble escape her lips.

"Come on, my little minx." Errick teased again, a smile creeping up his face. Isobel wanted nothing more than to wipe that smirk off of his face, but besides the fact that her entire body was numb and could only feel ecstasy, he had her thighs gripped tight enough so that she could not move them. Isobel then realized that Errick was moving away from her core, and all rational thought was about to be thrown out the window.

I swear I'll get my revenge for this, Errick. Isobel thought before she gave in. "Fuck, Errick! Put your face back down there! Please don't leave!"

The master thief smiled as he latched his lips onto her core, gaining moans of approval from Isobel. She bucked her hips as he mercilessly attacked her core with his lips, sucking on the bundle of nerves. Her juices were flowing freely and Errick could taste them, but he continued to give her pleasure, rallied by her echoing moans and screams of every term in a Redguard sailor's vocabulary.

Isobel could feel her nerves coming undone. She needed to grab onto something to brace herself as she felt wave after wave of pleasure course through her body. But with her body paralyzed by this barrage of sexual pleasure, Isobel couldn't find the strength to move her arms. As if on cue, Errick grabbed her hands and gave her the chance to grip onto them tightly, gaining a laugh from Errick on her core that only stimulated her more. She felt herself so agonizingly close to finishing, but she knew Errick would only tease her again, leaving her no choice but to say the magic word again.

"Errick, please let me finish!" She commanded, getting a response from Errick that brought her what she sought. His tongue immediately shot into her core, feeling along her walls and finding the sweet spot. That was more than enough to send her over the edge. Her scream of ecstasy filled the room, and her hips bucked hard against him as she climaxed. Her walls clamped down on his tongue as he continued to swirl around her insides, hitting her with continued pleasure with each stroke.

Isobel began to see stars as she continued to climb higher in her orgasm, and finally had to beg for Errick to stop. She thought he'd torture her a bit more by continuing, but instead he obeyed, leaving behind one last kiss as he began to kiss up her body to her mouth. The taste of her reaction hit her tongue, and Isobel sighed as her high finally began to leave her senses. Her body shook underneath Errick, and he gently began to stroke parts of her body, relaxing her over-sensetive nerves.

"That was-" Isobel panted. "You are-"

"Shh." Errick whispered. "There's still one more thing that you need to experience." He brought his waist up to hers, prodding her core with his tip. He slowly pushed himself into her body until she fully sheathed him, getting a groan from Errick and an even louder moan from Isobel.

"Gods, you feel good." Isobel murmured, her eyes closed and her breathing heavy.

"You feel so good, too, you little minx." He responded, giving her a few kisses across her lips, cheek and neck. Her walls had probably been some of the tightest that he's ever experienced; so wet and warm on his member. He brought her legs to rest in the gaps where his knees bent, giving him a better angle into her and Isobel some leverage to be able to make some movements on her part. His hands finally joined with hers as he held them above her head.

Errick slowly pulled out of her before thrusting back in, starting a steady pace that Isobel attempted to match by rocking her hips. His tip kept rubbing against her sweet spot, sending pleasure through her body with every thrust. He kissed her passionately as his thrusts became faster and rougher, sending her further into bliss. Eventually, however, Isobel broke from the kiss and sank her teeth into Errick's shoulder where it met his neck. Errick himself hissed at the temporary sting, but he continued his barrage of thrusts into her core, sending her into a second, more powerful orgasm. She screamed into his shoulder, but Errick was far from done pleasing the minx thief under him.

When she thought he was going to give up, he had immediately flipped their positions. His hands gripped her hips and pulled her up so that she was sitting on him; his member still buried inside of her. Isobel was caught by surprise at this, but smiled as she realized he had, in a sense, given her control of the moment.

"I'm definitely going to enjoy this." Isobel smirked, placing her hands on his chest to keep herself balanced.

"Show me what you got, minx." Errick challenged, smirking right back at her before literally having it slapped off his face. Blinking he looked back up at Isobel, the sting on his cheek growing pink as she glared down at him wickedly.

"I plan to."

Isobel aggressively rolled her hips along, thankful that she could now move much of her body. With their new position, Errick was actually going deeper into Isobel with her movements, gaining groans of approval from the master thief's lips. Isobel was moaning and riding along with his upward thrusts, but Isobel was going to make sure he gave in before her this time. Rolling her hips faster, Isobel felt as Errick increased his thrusts, sending waves of pleasure through her body again.

"Come on, Errick." She whispered seductively, her eyes closed in bliss. "Come for me."

"Ladies first." Errick whispered back as he threw his body up, sucking on her left nipple again.

Isobel suddenly found that he knew exactly how to send her over the edge as she screamed in ecstasy yet again, clamping down on him harder than ever before. With her walls being the tightest they've ever been, Errick finally released inside her, sending a wave of heat into Isobel's core that made her numbness seem to disappear.

As they finally fell from their high, Errick withdrew and hopped off of the bed, leaving the more-than spent Breton woman rolling onto her back breathing heavily. After a moment, Errick returned with a bowl of hot water and a linen cloth, draining it of some of the water and bringing it between her legs. He wiped off the sticky mess they had created, and he slid the cloth in with two fingers, cleaning inside her core to remove any trace of his seed. He probably wouldn't have minded if a woman like Isobel would bear a child for him one day (and knowing his lifestyle, he did have a few illegitimate children), but with Isobel and Brynjolf's attraction that was obviously there, Errick didn't want something like a baby getting in the way of their arrangement and a guy like Brynjolf. The poor man might now be old enough to be his father, but he respected Brynjolf and his abilities as a thief.

"So, Isobel, do you doubt my abilities at all?"

"Oh," Isobel moaned as he pulled the cloth out of her. His thrusts had created a now-present ache in her abdomen, but damn was he good. "You're definitely one of the best I've ever been with."

Errick chuckled as he cleaned himself up, setting the cloth back into the bowl when he was finished. "Well, I've had plenty of experience over the years. An Entius is meant to be a damn good lover second and a thief first. Sometimes, we perform both tasks at once."

"You're such a perv." Isobel laughed as he crawled back onto the bed with her, pulling her tired body closer to him. When he was close enough for their lips to brush, Isobel bit onto his lower lip, growling at him. "You better not tell anyone about this, Errick."

Errick kissed her. "Don't worry. This isn't a story I'm gonna share anytime soon. No, this is one I'll enjoy for myself."

Isobel closed her eyes and held him tight, passing into a deep sleep from the fatigue she had gained from their coupling. Errick brushed her hair lightly as she fell asleep, and soon enough he joined her in a blissful slumber.

"That's... Detailed." Torygg stated.

"Errick's journals are heavily detailed, unfortunately. Whether or not he would have approved of me reading that whole moment or not will be up to him to either argue about or ignore."

"Why do you say it like that?" Ronan asked.

"Because he may be coming over soon. And if he does, he'll likely talk your ear off about all of his sexcipades and heists."

"So what about this mysterious person you were meeting? The innkeeper? What was her story?"

"Her story was she was in hiding, like me. But there was more to it than that. It turns out she and an associate of hers would have the information I would need to defeat Alduin. But we'll need to take this slow for a moment. After all, there was a situation with a dragon I had to solve, Akira had witches to slay, Stryger had to stop the eye of Magnus, and Errick had to start his journey to Solitude to find Gulum-Ei. But some unexpected things happened along the way, and a new antagonist had begun to move his pieces onto the board."

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry that this chapter is only JUST getting released, but there were a lot of hurdles to jump through. Also, my tablet's cracked so I might start writing this story on the computer. I also might start a separate Elder Scrolls story eventually. I'm thinking of calling it Dragonlord, and have it follow a similar plot to the amine Overlord. In that anime, a guy who plays an MMORPG is randomly transported to another world as his character, and he also has a whole tomb and a bunch of followers he and his friends created. He then decides to take over the new world he is in and become the supreme Overlord. The premise I'm thinking is that this version of the Dragonborn decides after the events of the game that he is going to take over the Empire. He arms himself and his followers with armors that give them incredible gifts and they make their way to claim all of Tamriel for the Dragonlord. It's still mostly just an idea, but maybe I will write it.

Anyways, if you still follow the story, I hope you enjoyed the chapter.