A/N: THANK YOU! That goes to the practical flood of reviews I received after posting chapter three. And I do agree Mercer stinks and is a cruel man. I'm hoping this will be the last chapter, I highly doubt it. But I will have a poll up on my profile asking about this story. I hope you look at it, and well now to meet Karliah.
Disclaimer: Read the one in chapter two.
Title: I Dream of Only You
Chapter Four: The Winds of Fate
(Outside Snow Veil Sanctum)
Loki groaned, as his eyes opened, the light of the mid-day sun felling like needles to his emerald eyes. He hissed as he turned onto his side in a daze, but then he remembered as a deep and wide spread ache bloomed in his side. He'd been stabbed by Mercer. He should be dead.
Loki jumped up, regretting it as he collapsed back to his knees holding his head with both hands. The spots that wrapped his vision along with the now defining ring in his ears hurt his poor head, and it felt like it was filled with nothing but air as it was. And if the world would quit spinning he'd be happy.
He felt like he'd been dragged through the dirt for a few miles by a crazed horse. It felt pretty damn close! Loki had been through that as a young boy; from then on he had a rather healthy respect of the regale animals.
"Easy, easy, you shouldn't get up so fast." Karliah said walking to stand in front of him. Loki dropped his hands to his lap and looked up to see her face clearly for the first time. He had to admit she had her charms, she looked good, but her strange voilet eyes held knowledge that set him on edge for an unknown reason. He sighed and stood slowly this time, his head was clearing and his vision no longer blurring. The world had stoped twirling.
"All I want to know is what the hell really happened to Gallus, and why I took an arrow for a man I hate." Loki groused rubbing the slightly stinging spot on his shoulder, where half an arrow shaft had been stuck. The fact that he wasn't dead made him extremely happy: he could to find Brynjolf… The Guild. He had to warn them of Mercers treachery!
"If I'd wanted to kill you, I assure you we wouldn't be having this conversation. That arrow may have vary well saved your life, as for Gallus…. He was killed by Mercer who then framed me for it, casting me out of the Guild." Karliah said her violet eyes narrowed and darkened, as she spoke of Mercer, Loki couldn't blame her. His urge to stab Mercer in the eyes was growing at a considerable rate.
"I'd known that since I was shot in the shoulder and not my heart. How can we prove Mercer's been lying to the Guild this whole time, I mean they won't take this well without hard solid proof. Mercer is the Guild Master." Loki said rubbing at his shoulder all the while to sooth the sting.
"I came here to confront Mercer for more than irony's sake. I recovered a journal from Gallus's remains. But it's in a language I don't recognize." Karliah sighed in frustration, as she handed the journal to Loki who looked over the pages and frowned as he was met with a writing style he did not recognize either. He shook his head and looked back to Karliah.
"Maybe if it is an actual language and not some strange code, someone can translate it?"Loki looked back up to Karliah and waited for a response, since he had no clue where to look, a library would be his best bet, but that could take days if not weeks since he had no idea were to start. Karliah was silent for a few minutes before hr eyes lit up, and she actually sounded happy for a few moments.
"Of course, Enthir! He was Gallus' friend at the College up in Winterhold. He might be able to help us. Go to Winterhold he should be at the Inn. I'll meet you there as soon as I can. I have to… "Loki just gave her an understanding look as she trailed off gazing toward the ruins..
"Take your time, I know how you feel. And I'm in debt to you, thank you for saving my life. You have no idea how grateful I am. I'll be in you debt for the rest of my life." Loki said, before placing his fist over his heart and bowing low to the dark elf, which seemed to catch her off guard. She placed a fist over her heart and bowed her head back, and Loki grinned slightly. As he looked around he saw a black shape trot out of the trees picking up a pace as it raced toward the camp.
"Hey Girl, how's my pretty lady, hmm?" Loki greeted the black mare as she trotted up, his hand going to pet the soft muzzle as the mare came to a stop before her master, and she nickered at him and nuzzled his hurt shoulder.
"I know girl, I know, but don't worry I'm fine." Loki murmured quietly petting the horses' neck running his fingers through the dark mane. Looking over his shoulder to Karliah he waved a hand before hoisting himself onto the saddle.
"To Winterhold, and Enthir, we go." Loki sighed as his road his mare through the snow, remembering that he'd need to grab some food from the inn, unless he wanted to go hungry. The ride passed smoothly, no surprises hurled them selves at the troubled Dovahkiin.
Until he learned that he had to go to Markarth back to Calcemo. Damn you Enthir, Loki thought as he mounted up on his horse again after getting some food. He glanced toward the Collage and wondered if his friend the Arch Mage Vlearen had heard of his death from the Guild. He'd visit after he sorted out this mess, he promised him self. After all it was about time he paid the man a visit to check up on his old friend and make sure he hadn't blown him self up. Vlearen really had to stop playing with magic like it was a toy. Magic was not a toy it was a power few could wield properly.
Really?! Loki thought, I have to go through all this trouble just to get Falmer translations? Bastard, I've gone through those ruins and practically eradicated the Falmer in there for you. All I need is a quick look at your work! Loki was frustrated at how much trouble had popped up in so little time, and all from one stubborn old sod.
He'd gotten the Museum key from Calcemo after killing the giant spider that was causing his research problems. Naturally, instead of the City Guard keeping the researchers safe, Loki had to take care of the problem. That was what, a few months ago?
Which brought him to the matter at hand, the City Guard couldn't even pick out the thief as he was crouching in front of the door at the back of the Museum. Picking open the lock with the ease you only had after years of experience, how could it be that easy? Loki had to get into chests and crypt doors some how right?
As Loki slipped into the area Calcemo's research was hidden, he looked around relaxing slightly when he didn't see anyone. Either the City Guard was incredibly stupid, or he was getting way too good at his job. Or it could be both, I mean how did no one see that? Come on! Loki reasoned in his head that if he hit his head against the wall it wouldn't help.
He'd managed to get to Calcemo's tower without killing any one yet, throwing his voice was useful like that. He was surprised that the research was carved into stone, but also a bit pissed. Can't anything be simple!? Loki hissed in his head, quickly going into the conjoined room and grabbing some charcoal and paper and getting a few rubbings of the stone. He put the rubbings in the bag just as the tower doors opened.
"I'm sure I heard something up here." A voice said as the doors closed. Shit! Loki cursed under his breath as he crouched down backing into a corner in the room behind the stone. He snatched a black cloth from his bag and tied it around his face to hide all but his eyes, he pulled up his hood. Loki crept from his hiding spot and looked around. The Sell Swords and Mage were still there…
Loki made a run for it; he didn't want to bloody his blades, yet. He jumped down and ran for the door, he blasted through it and ran down the stairs, hiding behind some rocks next to a water fall. Looking down Loki knew it was his only way out, so he took a leap of faith. Literally. As Loki jumped he closed his eyes and held his breath, relaxing into the fall.
Landing in the water Loki felt the breath get sucked from his lungs, the water was bloody cold! He pushed up, luckily breaking the surface. Crawling out of the pool, Looking around Loki couldn't see any one, time to get back to Enthir.
"Oh Joy of joys." Loki grumbled. Shivering as he made his way to the front gates. A Guard stopped him as he approached Blackmane.
"Are you alright? You're soaked to the bone…" The Guard said suspiciously. Giving Loki a quick once over, the Guard looked at his guild armor then the hood and cloak the young man favored.
"I slipped and fell into a stream which sobered up my drunken ass." Loki said acting like he'd been drunk, and sadly enough the Guard bought it. Loki smiled as the Guard turned around not realizing Loki had taken his coin purse.
Loki was tired as he walked into the Inn at Winterhold, he wanted to sleep but Blackmane had been content on running all the way here. Bloody horse, Loki muttered in his head. After asking the Inn keeper where to find Enthir he headed down to the cellar.
After Enthir gave them the translation, Loki was having a difficult time containing his rage. Mercer was going to die, and Loki was going to kill him. Enthir offered to become a Fence and Karliah seemed about ready to break down.
"Meet me at the Guild, they need to see this. I know that the Guild does not foster faith, but I'm asking you to continue trusting me." She said, Loki went stiff, He was secretly terrified. He nodded to her, as they walked out of the inn, to their horses and they took off, down a trail toward Riften.
"What if Mercer is there?" Loki asked as they came to the Ragged Flagon's door. Truthfully he was more fearful of seeing Brynjolf, because he had no idea what Mercer had told the whole Guild. For all Loki knew Mercer painted him up as a traitor, that got what he disserved. Kaliah gave him an understanding look.
"All he has is his word we have proof." Her answer didn't help Loki but it made sense. So he followed her into the Tavern then into Cistern, after pulling the cloak he'd picked up over his lithe frame, and pulling the cloth mask over most of his face as he pulled the black hood lower. His hands settled on the twin ebony hilts, if he needed to attack he'd be ready, and the cloak concealed his movement.
Loki got worried since he didn't see Delvin or Vex at the Tavern, on closer inspection, he didn't see their locale Fence either. He stood at Karliah's side his hand on the door to the cistern, something was off. Did the Guild know they'd be coming? Or did something far more sinister await them behind the wooden door? Loki swallowed and pushed the wood forward striding with a mask of confidence, only to come to an almost instant halt.
A/N: To get the point I want I have to end here I'm sorry. Please review? I know this is a bit I Don't know, dragging? But I hope to make it up to you guys with some serious fluff soon, k?