"Good work, you two," Delvin praises the two thieves as he examines the valuables in Vex's hands.

"Is that really a Stone of Barenziah?" Brynjolf asks the blonde.

She nods. "There are few people who know the truth of the Stones of Barenziah." She grins. "Meaning there are few who know that they actually exist."

Iris peers at the gemstone. "It really is beautiful. I can't imagine what the set must look like."

"Imagine what they'd look like on the original crown," Bryn tells her.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves now." Delvin chuckles. "We only have one. There are still twenty-four more stones to find."

"I'll certainly keep an eye out for them on my travels," Iris says. She stretches, suddenly feeling very tired. The journey back from Solitude was uneventful but long. And especially after her little…encounter with Sanguine, they were set back a day. Feeling the weight of the staff strapped to her back, she realizes they never found out what it actually does.

Vex dismisses them, and the two Nightingales retire to the cistern.

Walking side by side, they enter the cistern in silence, but Iris feels his eyes on her.

Peering sideways, she quirks an eyebrow at him. "What?"

He laughs softly, shaking his head. "I just still can't believe everything that happened."

She fights a smile, smacking his arm. "That stays between us. If I ever hear that you blabbed about it—"

"Aw, lass, but it's such a good story," he whines, grinning.

"I swear I will kill you if you ever tell anyone." She loses her battle against her smile and lets out a small laugh.

"That's very rash, even for you, love." He peers at the staff on her back. "What does that do, by the way?"

She shrugs, taking it in her hands. "No idea." She looks up at him, mischief written on her features. "Shall we find out?"

"Definitely."

She follows him to the training room, finding it empty. She aims the staff at a dummy, suddenly nervous.

"I'm kind of scared of what will happen," she admits. "Sanguine isn't the most conventional Daedra."

Bryn waves his hand. "Just do it. I'm sure it won't be too bad."

Frowning, Iris nods, refocusing her attention on the dummy. "Here goes…" She waves the staff from which a crimson light bursts. The light hovers above the floor for a split second before dissipating, leaving something in its place.

"Fuck!" the two thieves shout at the same time, jumping backwards.

In place of the light, a Dremora stands motionless, an enormous war axe on its back.

"Uh…" Iris peers up from behind the hay bale they've hidden behind. "It isn't doing anything," she whispers.

Bryn pops his head up and watches. "Why?"

"I don't know." Iris slowly gets to her feet, approaching the Dremora. "Uh…hi?"

It stares at her, unblinking, before looking around itself. "There are no hostiles here," it growls.

"No, uh, no, there aren't. I just…wanted to test out the staff…and, uh, see what it does," Iris sputters.

It turns its hardened gaze back on her. "I see. Next time, summon me when there is an actual fight, will you?"

Before Iris can respond, the crimson light returns and surrounds the Dremora. When it disappears, the Dremora is gone, as well.

Iris lets out a sigh of relief, running a hand through her hair. "Okay, then…" She steals a glance at Bryn, who still crouches behind the hay bale. He finally stands and walks over to where the Dremora stood, searching the ground. Saying nothing, he looks to her, meeting her eyes.

And they simultaneously burst into hysterical laughter.

Doubling over in laughter, Iris wipes at her eyes. "What the fuck, Sanguine?"

"I am never traveling with you again, Iris Liriiette," Brynjolf chokes out.

Iris can't reply for the laughter assaulting her throat. She sinks to the ground, her face in her hands, and feels him join her. All of the ridiculousness from their journey has finally reached a breaking point, and there's nothing left to do but laugh about it.

Unfortunately, Sapphire must have heard the noise because she suddenly appears in the room, her hands on her hips. "What in Oblivion is happening in here?"

Her confusion only makes the two thieves laugh harder.

Iris shakes her head, wiping tears from her faces. "You don't want to know."

Sapphire's brow furrows as she examines the empty room before turning. "I don't understand you two," she says before leaving.

"Are you sure I can't tell anyone about what happened to you?" Bryn asks, nudging Iris.

"You can't!" she tries to say with fierceness, but it doesn't help that she's still giggling.

He lets out a loud exhale, his hands on his stomach. "My abs hurt now."

"Mine, too." Iris smiles widely, for once not feeling the guilt wracking her core. She leans her head on his shoulder, taking his hand. "I don't understand why the Daedra all have this weird interest in me. Sanguine mentioned the others. Do you think they talk about me when they get together for a big Daedric Prince dinner?"

Bryn chuckles. "I guess so. Nocturnal had heard about you, too. Though, I can't say that catching the attention of the Daedra is a good thing." His thumb strokes the back of her palm. "Just look at what happened in Solitude."

"You're never going to let me forget about it, will you?"

He shakes his head. "Probably not."

A small grin graces her lips. "So, now what?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, is the ban lifted now? Can things go back to normal?"

He shrugs. "I don't know, love. I'll ask about it, but I doubt it."

She sighs. "See? More teasing." She shifts, closing her eyes. "Why do they hate us?"

She feels his chest rumble as he chuckles. "I wouldn't go that far. But it is strange. My guess is we'll have to play the waiting game."

Iris groans. "Patience? My weakness."

He rubs her shoulder, lightly kissing her head.

"I guess I better ask for another job, huh?" She opens her eyes, peering up at him.

"Thrynn and Vipir are out on jobs right now, so Vex and Delvin may not have anything for you."

She groans again. "Damn. I guess I can't keep putting the Dragonborn stuff off, can I? I was using the Guild as an excuse."

His eyebrow creases in worry. "What do you have to do?"

She waves her hand. "It's nothing."

Just retrieving an Elder Scroll. You know, everyday stuff.

She pushes herself to her feet, stretching. "Gods, I'm tired. I'll stop by before I leave."

He stands, too, touching her cheek. "If we didn't have this damned ban, I'd come with you on your Dragonborn duties. Assuming you'd let me, of course."

She raises her eyebrows at him.

"That's what I thought." He sighs, but grins. "I'll see you tomorrow, then."

After making sure they're alone, Iris gives him a light kiss. "Bye."


Exhausted, Iris collapses into her bed, pulling the thick blankets over her head. She smiles softly, still elated from her trip with Bryn. Gods, she loves spending time with him. And ever since the stupid ban, she's seen less and less of him. Until now, hopefully. If anything, the ban has made her realize how much she needs him. She was so used to seeing and being with him 24/7; now, that she can't, it's like losing a bit of oxygen.

Exhaling, she rolls over, sinking more deeply into the soft bed. Bryn had surprised her. She never thought she could love; hell, she never went looking for love. It never even crossed her mind. And then, that red-haired bastard approached her in the market. She grins at the memory. She never would have imagined that she'd end up falling in love with him. She didn't even know she loved him until she thought they were about to die. Deep down, she always kind of knew, but kept it buried deep. They both knew they couldn't go through with it then, so she never really acknowledged it. Why put herself through that ache? And now? They confessed their love as they thought they were dying, and then survived. What are they supposed to do with that knowledge now? She would choose him over the Guild, hands down. She's lived without the Guild before; she could do it again if necessary. But him? It's been his whole life. It'd be like leaving his family. She doesn't blame him for thinking on it. It's a lot to ask of him, but she can't imagine loving anyone else. He's worth her waiting.

Though her body slackens in fatigue, her mind whirls. Frustrated, she turns onto her other side. She finds her train of thoughts beginning to venture toward darker topics. She strains to keep herself from going down that path, but finds the Dark Brotherhood assassin's words repeating in her mind. In the southwest reaches of Skyrim, in the Pine Forest, you'll find the entrance to our Sanctuary. Iris shakes her head, trying to rid the thought. But the assassin continues in her mind. When questioned by the Black Door, answer with the correct passphrase: "Silence, my brother". She won't go. She can't go. She's the Guildmaster of the Thieves Guild. Not to mention she already has enough on her plate being the Dragonborn. She doesn't have the time.

Her eyes shoot open in surprise. It's not about the time, she realizes. She shouldn't want to join a guild of assassins! The very idea should appall her! She shouldn't want to join because it's an awful thing to be a part of. Not because she doesn't have enough time.

"Gods," she moans, running a hand over her eyes.

She rolls to her other side, trying to stifle the thoughts in her mind. It must work, because the next thing she knows, she's fast asleep.


Hmm...big things are coming!

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