Yawning, Iris rubs at her eyes, guilt gnawing at her insides as she rides down the road. How is that Bryn can see she's lying but not know what she's lying about? He wholeheartedly believes that Ianthe is dead and that Iris is in mourning. It's something she'd never lie about. And that's why he believes her. And that's why her stomach churns, threatening to empty its contents with every clack of the horse's hooves.

But she forces herself to ride on. Falkreath and then the Tower of Mzark. Then, she'll be one step closer to fulfilling her destiny.

She sighs, shaking her head. What started as a simple lie to keep him from finding out about the Dark Brotherhood transformed into a series of lies that she can't stop telling. Maybe some time away will be good. It will give her a chance to put the lies from her mind and focus on the bigger picture.


"Thank you." Iris pays the stableboy and leaves the stables, heading to the city gates.

She dons her Nightingale hood, her eyes darting around, looking for the inn.

Last time she was here, she met Barbas the dog, and he led her to Clavicus Vile. She thinks of the Masque buried at the bottom of her chest in Honeyside. Probably not what Clavicus Vile intended her to do with it. She rids her head of the thoughts and finally finds the inn. Ducking inside, she easily makes it to the back room without being seen. The ledger lies on a lone table in the room, practically begging her to change the numbers. After making sure she is still unseen, she sets to work, her hand dancing around the page as she changes the numbers.

"Perfect," she mutters to herself, backing away from the book. That was easy, she thinks as she escapes back to the street, removing her hood. Now, to the Tower.

In the southwest reaches of Skyrim, in the Pine Forest, you'll find the entrance to our Sanctuary.

Iris flinches as the assassin's words assault her mind. The Pine Forest. Falkreath lies just outside of the Pine Forest. The Sanctuary must be close.

She wants to hit herself for her traitorous thoughts. She can't be thinking of joining. Maybe…maybe she'll just look for the Sanctuary. She doesn't have to go in, right? She'll just look.

Leaving her horse at the stable, she wanders down the road. Just beneath the road, the assassin had said.

Iris continues on, her eyes peeled. She's about to give up when she spots a small clearing. Her brow furrows as she brushes aside a tree limb, finding a clearing complete with a small pond. Twigs and leaves crunch beneath her boots as she climbs down the hill and into the clearing. Her breath materializes in the brisk air with her exhale. Standing in the center of the clearing, she turns, looking for the Sanctuary.

A hard lump blocks her throat when she finds a narrow hole in the side of a cliff. And there…a Black Door. Iris licks her lips, taking a tentative step toward it. A skull decorates the door, a crimson glow emanating from behind it. Her hand stretches out, seemingly of its own accord, and her fingers lightly brush the rough stone.

And it speaks.

"What is the music of life?" a raspy voice breathes.

Gasping, Iris's hand jerks back, her mouth open. She knows the answer. The assassin told her the answer. But she should just leave now, right? She has no interest in joining. She could never be an assassin, a murderer.

So, she turns on her heel and walks away. But she only makes it three steps before turning back, watching the Door. What if she just…looked inside? This is her one chance to see the inside of a Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary. Maybe she'll just take a peek. Her feet move her toward the Door again, the Door which still waits for her answer.

Lass, what are you doing? Iris hears Bryn's voice in her head.

She's no murderer. She's not cut out to be an assassin. She couldn't stomach the work. Stealing is one thing. Killing is another. But…killing Grelod felt good. It felt good to end her sorry existence, the evil bitch. If she was contracted to kill nasty people like Grelod, Iris wouldn't have a problem with it. What if she joined and only killed those who deserved it? But then, who is she to decide who deserves to live or die?

Gods, but she's just so curious.

"Silence, my brother." The words burst from her lips before she can stop them.

The Door seems to chuckle lowly before hissing, "Welcome home."

Iris turns back around and finds the Door opening for her.

She shouldn't go in.

But her foot takes a step.

This isn't her. She isn't a murderer.

But her hand pushes the Door open further.

What would the Guild say? What would Bryn say? She can't do this to them.

But her head ducks as her foot breaks the threshold.

No one will have to know. This will be her secret. No one will know.

And she makes her way down the stony stairs.


Brynjolf curses under his breath, scratching the back of his neck with the end of his quill.

"Something on your mind?" Delvin slides into the seat across from him.

Growling angrily, Brynjolf jabs a finger to the numbers in the ledger. "These can't be right. We've had an increase in jobs. So, why are our numbers still shit?"

"Let me see." Delvin grabs the book and slides toward him.

Slumping down in his seat, Brynjolf runs his hands over his face, groaning.

"I don't understand…" Delvin murmurs. "I thought we got five hundred from that Winterhold job."

"Aye, we were supposed to but somehow we only received a fourth of the payment!" Brynjolf stands, leaning over the book. "And here, we were supposed to get sixty percent of the fenced goods and only received fourteen. I don't know where it's all going! Mercer isn't here anymore stealing from our Vault, so where in Oblivion is it all going?"

"Fuck. I thought our bad luck was supposed to end once Iris returned that Nightingale thing," Delvin says, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"The Skeleton Key. And I know. It was supposed to." Brynjolf sighs, crossing his arms.

"Maybe…it takes a while for it to go into effect?" Delvin tries.

"I don't know. Maybe." Brynjolf shakes his head. "I'm going to talk to Karliah about this. I'll let you know what she says."

Brynjolf storms out of the Flagon and up the ladder, his mind whirling. Iris returned the Key. Nocturnal should be in their favor now. So, why isn't she? Unless…

No. He trusts Iris with his life. She'd never lie about something like this. She has no reason to. He'll talk to Karliah. Perhaps she'll get this straightened out.


Sorry that this chapter was so short! Maybe I'll post another next week to make up for it...

What is Iris doing?! What are your thoughts about her potentially joining the Dark Brotherhood? And how do you think Bryn would react if he found out?

Thank you all for reading! Please favorite, follow, and review! :)