I AM SO SORRY.

Last week was completely insane, but it's no excuse to post late!

Okay, I'll stop talking so you can read the next chapter! XD


Iris's stomach is in knots by the time she reaches Riften's gates. An air of comfort falls over her upon seeing Honeyside and the familiar city. But the comfort is immediately replaced with gut-wrenching nervousness and fear. She hasn't been here in two weeks, and the Guild thought she was out on personal business. What would they think if they knew she was out on Dark Brotherhood business?

After adjusting her Nightingale armor—she prefers it much better than the skin-tight Dark Brotherhood armor—she takes a deep breath and heads for the cemetery. It feels like her heart is going to pound out of her chest when she pushes the button on the sarcophagus and watches the secret entrance slide open. She forces herself to take even breaths. In and out. In and out. Once she's sure she has herself under control, she descends into the Cistern.

The Cistern is nearly empty when Iris hops down from the ladder. Her eyebrows furrow as she looks around herself, finding only Rune and Vipir.

"Iris! You're back!" Rune greets her with a smile.

"It's good to see you," she replies, forcing herself to smile back.

"How was your trip?" he asks, stirring the pot over the fire.

"It was eventful to say the least." Her violet eyes dart around the Cistern again. "Is…Bryn here?"

He shakes his head. "No, he left for a job in Whiterun a couple days ago."

"Oh." She didn't expect to feel disappointment. While she doesn't want to tell him where she's been, she has to admit she misses him. A lot. "Is Delvin in the Flagon?"

Rune nods, and she heads into the tavern.

"Well, look who's back!" Delvin gives her a wide grin as she enters.

She smiles back, taking the seat across from him. "How have you been?"

He shrugs. "Fine. Nothing's really happened since you left." He takes a swig from his bottle. "Oh, and before you ask, Bryn's not here. He's on a job—"

"In Whiterun. Rune told me." She forces herself to grin.

"He should be back any minute now, though, if you want to wait around for him."

"Actually…" She scoots closer, dropping her voice. "I'm here for something else…" She pulls the amulet from her pocket. "Can you appraise this?"

"By the Divines…" Delvin takes the amulet form her hands, examining it with awe. "Do you know what this is?"

She chuckles. "Well, no. That's why I brought it to you."

"These amulets are given to members of the Elder Council. I've no idea how you've gotten your hands on one of these but…" He shakes his head.

"Will you buy it?" Iris asks.

"I have to say, I've always wanted one of these. But I have to ask. How is this related to the Guild?"

"Um…it isn't, exactly." Iris gulps, forcing herself to look at him. "Astrid sent me."

Delvin's eyes widen. "Astrid? As in the Dark Brotherhood? You running with them now?"

She bows her head. "Please don't tell Bryn. I can't—He can't know. I don't want him to know."

Delvin frowns. "He won't think nothing of it, Iris. He knows I still have connections with them."

"Please, Delvin. I don't want him to think I'm some…murderer. I mean, I'll tell him in time, but please. In the meantime, will you keep my secret?"

He regards her for a long moment, fiddling with the amulet.

Iris squirms under his calculating gaze until he lets out a sigh.

"Alright." He looks back to the amulet. "I'll give Astrid a letter of credit." He pulls out a piece of parchment.

"Thank you, Delvin."

He hands her the letter. "I just hope you remember that we had you first."

Iris opens her mouth, a retort on her tongue when Vex approaches.

"Delvin, something's happened." She barely glances at Iris.

Nice to see you, too, Iris thinks bitterly.

"What is it?"

"Brynjolf's been arrested."

"What?!" Iris and Delvin burst out at the same time.

Iris leaps to her feet. "What happened? Is he okay?"

"Yes, he's fine. Just…in Dragonsreach prison." Vex sighs. "Olfrid sent word that he got the job done alright, but something must have happened."

"We need to get him out," Iris says, panic lacing her voice. "How long has he been in there?"

Vex shrugs. "Don't know. I got word only a few moments ago."

"I can go and break him out," Iris says tersely.

But the blonde lets out a scoff. "You've just waltzed back in here after weeks and think you have what it takes to break him out?"

Angry, Iris opens her mouth to respond, but Delvin cuts her off.

"Maybe Vex is right. We don't want to risk it, do we?"

"I can do it, Delvin," Iris tells him in reproach.

"I'm not doubting you could. Listen, Iris. Our luck is bad enough as it is. Brynjolf has gotten caught once, maybe twice, in his life. And now, he's suddenly gotten caught after completing the job? Something is wrong. Under normal circumstances, I'd say have at it. But we just don't know what could happen."

Iris sighs, rubbing her eyes and feeling the weight of the Skeleton Key in her pocket. "Okay."

Delvin looks to Vex and nods. "I'll leave immediately."

She nods before walking off.

"Iris." Delvin stops Iris before she can leave. "Be careful with the Brotherhood. I know Astrid, and I know she can be a bit…reckless. Just keep your wits about you, alright?"

Iris nods. "I will. I have to get back. Will you let me know how everything goes?"

"Why don't you come back in a couple days to find out yourself?"

She bites her lip, looking down.

"Ah. Don't want to face him, do you?" Delvin catches on.

"I'll see you later," Iris mutters before turning on her heel.

"You'll have to eventually!" Delvin shouts after her.

I know, she thinks as she flings the door open. You're not the first to tell me. And she leaves the Flagon.


Iris blearily shuffles into the Sanctuary, completely exhausted from the journey.

"Ah, Iris." Astrid approaches her as she enters. "Did you speak with Delvin?"

Iris nods, digging around in her bag for the letter of credit. "Yeah, I did. Turns out that amulet is a special piece only given to members of the Elder Council."

Astrid's eyebrows arch, her eyes widening. "The Elder Council? Motierre must be wanting a sort of promotion then, hmm?" She takes the letter. "Calculated kills designed for Motierre's ascent to a powerful position. It makes sense now." She reads over the letter as Iris's eyes droop. "You went into the Guild, then?"

Iris nods. "Yeah."

"Was it as horrible as you imagined?" Astrid smirks.

"No. Mostly because there was almost no one there." Iris sighs, closing her bag. "Listen, I'm really tired. Do you mind if I crash here for a bit?"

"Of course. This is your home, remember."

"Right. Thank you." Iris gives her boss a small smile before descending the steps into the cavern, heading to the barracks. She was kidding herself when she thought she'd make it to her bed without interruption.

"Iris, you're back." Veezara smiles as she passes by. "How was it?"

Iris shrugs. "I mean, there was practically no one there, so it was fine."

"So, you didn't talk to your thief, then." His eyes bore into hers.

Sighing, the Breton nods. "He wasn't there."

"But you didn't wait for him to come back?"

"Listen, Veezara. I don't really understand why you want me to talk to him so much. I will eventually, and that's what matters. Okay?" She moves to pass him.

"I just want you to be happy, Iris."

She stops, turning. "Thank you. But for now, this is what I have to do."


Iris hasn't seen Bryn in two weeks! Why do you think she's avoiding him? And how did Bryn get caught?

Let me know in a review!

Thanks for reading! :)

(PS: I'M SORRY AGAIN)