Mum's the Word

Part II – Cracks in the Slab

High risks, high rewards.

Seeing Jules was like a high-stakes card game.

Raven had promised himself that he would never do this again. That he would never let himself get close to someone like this again. Not after the last time. Not after Mercer delivered him the severed hand of the girl he loved with a smug smirk and a warning glare.

The fear was always there. Raven could not get it out of his head. Something bad would happen. He just knew it.

But Jules kept reassuring him.

Raven couldn't resist. He couldn't resist getting tangled up in the overwhelming whirlwind whenever he felt like this about someone. He couldn't help himself. Whenever he was with Jules, all those fears just didn't seem all that important. Even if he knew they would come creeping back to him the second he left his presence. It was too risky. Too risky to be involved with someone under everyone's noses like this. It wasn't even a secret! Everyone knew about the two of them.

Mercer didn't say a word about their relationship. But that just made Raven even more nervous.

Especially since he was doing the same thing again.

It was so easy to confide in Jules. He made it so easy. Raven always needed this, he always needed someone to listen, to be honest with when his days were spent pretending and fooling people. First, he thought a stranger would be safer. Then he thought someone from the Guild would understand. But it never worked. Mercer always found out and it always ended in tragedy. But these urges, these feelings, they were stronger than Raven. He needed someone. And how could something that made him feel so at ease be wrong?

He knew almost instantly. He was in love. Every time he saw that smirk of his, every time he watched him scratch his jaw in contemplation or that wide grin on his face when he was teasing someone, Raven could practically melt on the spot.

Lately he had barely been able to concentrate on anything else. Someone was talking to him and he was barely listening. The people around him were whispering and he didn't even think to eavesdrop. Mercer seemed to be a bit peeved at him, at times, but Raven couldn't bring himself to care.

But despite that, each day, Raven started to notice some… little things.

Something was wrong at the Guild and he didn't know what. At first, he just thought that the strange feeling was his own sudden disinterest in the happenings around the sewers. But more and more now he was starting to notice a very strange atmosphere permeating around.

Tense.

Strained.

Maybe he should be paying more attention. And he should definitely come down from his high and focus on placating Mercer. He needed to make sure that Jules didn't end up like the rest of them. There was no chance in Oblivion he would let that happen.

He needed to be obedient. He needed to do whatever Mercer wanted just to keep Jules safe. There was no other way, no matter whom Raven had to rat out, to spy on, it didn't matter. He wouldn't give him any reason this time.

And after a time spent entirely absorbed in Jules, Raven was determined to get back into things, to do his job well and without any risks.

That was easier said than done, but he was trying.

He started to notice the subtleties more. He started to hear the words whispered behind closed doors again. But the atmosphere was starting to make him nervous.

There had always been dissent. There were always people complaining about Mercer's tactics and tasks. There were always people disgruntled about how the Guild was run. Raven heard a lot of this. He said a lot of it, but what Mercer didn't know was that Raven had actually kept the vast majority of it to himself. People were complaining about the same treatment he was complaining to Jules about. How could he ever rat them out for that? How could he ever blame them for that?

Besides, if he had told Mercer everything, the Guild would surely be almost empty right now.

But now it wasn't just the usual disgruntled chatter.

It was worrisome. He had only overheard a little – nobody really trusted him enough to confide in him – but the things he had overheard filled him with dread. And maybe a little bit of hope too. A terrifyingly cautious hope.

It wasn't just his imagination, surely. He had overheard some things that could only mean one thing – some people were actually hoping to mutiny against Mercer.

Could that really be done? Could there be enough people to make Mercer back down? Did he even have any real allies? Raven wasn't sure if he could think of anyone who hadn't complained about that man covertly at least once.

But Raven had seen too much from Mercer. He had seen his wrath. And despite the slight shimmering hope inside, he couldn't chase those thoughts away.

This could end very badly.

But all he had now was just rumors. He may have been overreacting. He didn't really have anyone he could ask though since he was sure that nobody would tell him, but the best bet to get some sincerity was always none other than Brynjolf.

At least with him, if Raven's rumors were just wishful thinking, he could be sure that the man wouldn't run back to Mercer to tattle about Raven's interest. There was no telling if Mercer would interpret it as Raven just doing his job and snooping or… that he was involved.

No mistakes. Raven was not going to risk Jules. Not in a million Eras.

Late at night, when most people, including Jules, were already asleep, Raven headed over into Brynjolf's chamber in the cistern. It was a good thing that the man was important enough to have his own room – there could be no audience for this.

He knocked once. No answer. The second time was more persistent and he finally heard some shuffling sounds behind the door.

Maybe Brynjolf had been asleep too, but Raven couldn't worry about that too much. He had to know what's going on.

The door swung open soon after and the very tired-looking Nord blinked at him a few times in surprise.

"Something going on, lad?" he murmured sleepily.

"I need to talk to you. Privately," Raven whispered. He wasn't sure why he was whispering – surely nobody could hear him here and now, but… he felt so paranoid.

"Shit," Bryn groaned. That made Raven cringe. The man likely feared he was in trouble when Mercer's spy asked for a private talk. He hated his position in the Guild. He felt so alone all the time. Well, unless he was with Jules.

With a sigh, Raven only walked past Brynjolf into his room and waited for the man to close the door behind them both. Hopefully Brynjolf would relax around him enough to tell him something.

"I'm not here because I was asked to be," Raven said promptly. He needed to make it clear he was not interrogating anyone. "I'm here for myself, alright? Mercer doesn't know about any of this and I just… wanted to talk to someone. For my own sake."

"What are you on about, lad?" Brynjolf rubbed the sleep from his eyes in tiredness and confusion before he walked back towards his bed to at least sit down on it.

"I overheard some things. You know I overhear a lot," Raven started to murmur nervously. Brynjolf knew about most of the things that Raven brought back to Mercer, but not all of them. Definitely not so much about the things he was bringing back regarding their fellow Guild mates.

"Just doing your job, right, lad?" Bryn scoffed a bit.

Yes, I get it. I'm a rat.

"I just… I overheard some things that were maybe a little more… serious. About people thinking there's a way to… overthrow him?" Raven sighed in resignation. He would either get the adamant denial right now or Brynjolf would actually rat him out for this talk in turn.

"Why are you telling me?" Brynjolf scowled at him with suspicion in his eyes.

"I told you, I'm not here because I was asked to investigate this or anything. Mercer knows nothing. I'm here for myself," Raven folded his arms across his chest.

"But why? What do you want? To overthrow Mercer?" Brynjolf's scowl still hasn't disappeared. This was making Raven just more nervous.

"I… N-no… I mean… come on. Don't ask me that. I just… I want to know if it's really possible," Raven stammered. He couldn't just… admit it, could he? But getting rid of Mercer would give him so much. It would give him a freedom he hadn't dreamt of for what felt like ages.

Brynjolf studied him critically for a while, as if he was deciding whether Raven was to be trusted at all. That was probably exactly what he was doing. And Raven couldn't blame him. He was duplicitous. He was good at it. He was a great liar. But now he felt so desperate for some… honestly. For some hope.

"I always wondered if the punishments garner loyalty or revolt. Fear can go either way," Brynjolf nodded at him after a while knowingly. "You've been pushed a lot, lad. I know that. But most people don't. And for your story, there's another right in the next room. And the next one."

"I… I know," Raven nodded. He of all people knew this. He knew all the stories. All the pains and complaints. He may have been the only one who knew. How did Brynjolf?

"Aye. Mercer harms more of us than we realize, we're just culled into fear of speaking up," Bryn sighed. Now he was actually talking about this without pretenses. And he was right. Was there really something that could be done about this?

"But there are cracks in this slab," the Nord continued. "Be sure of that, lad.

'Cracks in this slab'. That was… familiar. Too familiar. Raven had used this phrase before. He described Mercer's rule this way himself once.

That… wasn't just a coincidence, was it?

"Wait… what did you just say? Where did you hear that?" Raven's eyes went wide at Brynjolf. That was too eerie. But… Jules wouldn't. He promised not to speak about the things Raved confided in him.

"What?" Brynjolf only cocked his head at him in confusion.

"The 'cracks in the slab'. Who told you this? Who told you this exact thing?" Raven scowled now. He felt his heart clench every second he wouldn't get the answer. He was hoping it was just a coincidence, but that was too uncanny. Was Jules talking about the things they shared in private? No. Maybe Bryn overheard them at some point.

"Raven, what are you planning?" Bryn scowled again. Now it seemed like Raven was trying to find an instigator when it was only his own feelings he was trying to look out for.

"Not to go to Mercer, I swear," he sighed again. "I promise you, the last thing I want is for people to get punished for talking." He had seen enough of this. He had lived through enough of this. And Brynjolf knew. Brynjolf was one of the few people who knew how Mercer always punished Raven for talking.

"I… I know, lad. I know," Brynjolf lowered his head, but Raven still hadn't gotten the answer he needed.

"Who told you?"

Please, don't say 'Jules'. Please, don't say 'Jules'.

"That phrase? I think that lad, Bishop, used it," Brynjolf shrugged. "But there are a lot of us talking, Raven. We should be. This could all be done differently."

'Bishop'? Jules's brother. Why? Did Jules tell him something? Raven knew that he wouldn't. He knew that Jules wouldn't just betray Raven's trust like that.

He must have dragged things out of Jules. Manipulated him or something. And now he was spreading the secrets to the rest of the thieves, risking Jules's and Raven's safety from Mercer. If he were to find out that Raven was confiding in Jules, all Oblivion would swoop down upon them.

And for what? To… to take Mercer down?

Raven stayed quiet for a long time, contemplating the current options. The secrets were out, the people were talking. What now? Telling Mercer might just tip him off. He was clueless so far.

The safest thing right now for him and Jules might actually be to… help. To go through with this.

Would that really work? Would they all really be able to take Mercer down? Raven barely dared hope. But he needed to find out more.

"Thanks, Bryn," he said quietly after what felt like an eternity. "And… you're right. Maybe there is something we can actually do."

It was the best way to get out of this for now.

But that didn't diminish Raven's anger at that asshole who manipulated Jules to start this.

To risk so much.

Nothing was worth risking him. Not even Mercer's downfall.

…

Raven tried to rest easy for the remainder of the night, but he couldn't.

Not even Jules's proximity helped with that. He still kept mulling over the events of the day, still wondering how this all came to happen, still wondering what it could all mean. What could befall them all.

He of all people knew how shitty things could turn in a blink of a moment.

For the second time that night, he left the warm bed in Jules's private room as quietly as he could. He needed to clear his head. And while the sewer smell wasn't ideal for that, it was better than nothing. Not many people were awake at this hour to disturb him in the cistern. Or at the Flagon.

Jules stirred only slightly when Raven was leaving. Good. He didn't want him worried.

Raven closed the door behind him quietly and marched into the cistern. He was so tired of overthinking this predicament, but he couldn't help it. He hoped that maybe the slow drip of water echoing through the enormous main chamber would calm him thoughts.

He looked across the cistern – there were only a few people around right now, but when he spotted them, it certainly didn't help him take his mind off things.

He noticed Bishop standing there by one of the walls with Thrynn, discussing something quietly with somber expressions. Was he at it again? Maybe Raven should be happy that this 'mutiny' idea was getting traction, but he was so fucking furious at Bishop. How could he put his own brother at risk like this? If Mercer found out and traced all this back to Raven and Jules, it would be a disaster.

Raven clenched his fists almost involuntarily. That asshole, at the very least, should have someone confront him about his manipulations.

He marched across the cistern and the second the two men noticed him approach, they stopped talking. Of course they did.

Never mind. Raven approached with determination regardless. He outright ignored Thrynn's presence there and addressed only Bishop.

"I need to talk to you," Raven scowled.

Bishop's expression matched his within a second, though surprisingly enough, he looked more concerned than actually angry. Maybe he was worried someone was finally onto him.

"Later," Bishop nodded at Thrynn before he gave a curt nod to Raven as well.

Good. Raven only turned on his heel and marched back towards Jules's room – it was the only place he could think of that nobody who shouldn't would overhear them. The corridor there at least.

Bishop followed him silently for now, but the moment Raven stopped in the hallway and turned back to him, he piped up, rather impatiently.

"What's going on? Is something wrong with Jules?" Bishop's scowl didn't disappear for a second.

Yeah, like you're actually worried. If you were worried about Jules, you wouldn't be doing any of this.

"He's fine. For now," Raven frowned again.

"The fuck's that supposed to mean?!" Bishop barked back at him and a bit louder than Raven would have liked.

Alright, that may have sounded a little more ominous than he had intended, but it was still a point. If things went south, Jules might just be the one blamed for this. Or Raven, which would have the same result, really. Jules would be punished. That needed to be prevented at all costs and Raven just wanted to show Bishop that he knew what kind of an asshole he was, manipulating and risking his own brother like this.

"Look, I don't know if you overheard us talk or if you just dragged this all out of Jules somehow, but I know what you're doing," Raven snarled angrily. "Do you realize what you're doing, inciting shit like this? And do you realize what will happen if Mercer finds out you're using my information to spur this?"

Bishop looked at him in palpable surprise for a second. He seemed to be caught off guard – definitely for being caught in the act, because he didn't expect Raven to ever find out about this. His eyes evaded Raven after a moment, looking behind his shoulder, before he finally got the guts to face him again.

"Does it even matter how I got your info? Mercer has to go," he sighed.

There was no argument about that, but this wasn't the point. The point was the risks that were being taken here. Too much.

"And you choose to risk Jules for it? If Mercer finds out he was involved in any way, do you have any idea what he will do?" Raven continued to talk through gritted teeth.

Bishop's eyes went out of focus for a while again. He seemed much more uncertain about arguing than Raven had anticipated.

"Then you better make sure he doesn't find out," Bishop only scoffed at Raven then. And before the Imperial could say anything else, he turned on his heel and started to walk away.

What? He was just leaving? What the fuck? Raven wasn't done talking about this! There were still so many things…

"Raven, what's going on?" A familiar voice rang behind his ear.

Oh. Jules.

Bishop had left because Jules came out of the room. He didn't want him to know. Of course he didn't. But fuck that. Fuck him. This was too dangerous not to warn Jules, even if it would hurt him to hear about the betrayal of his own brother.

"Jules," Raven turned around to face him. Jules was still rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Let's go back inside. I… I need to tell you something."

Jules nodded at him tiredly and shuffled back into his room. This was going to be hard to talk about, but Raven had to get through this. When he closed the door behind them again, Raven urged Jules to sit back on the bed like they always did. When they weren't doing other things in the bed.

"What's wrong?" Jules shimmied closer to Raven the second he sat down and he placed a hand on his thigh in reassurance. He could clearly see the worried expression.

"It's… the things we talk about. You know… about my job and… some of the things that I shared with you. Like… the people that are… not exactly happy with Mercer," Raven stammered nervously. Now it was much harder when he had Jules's deep blue eyes watching him like that, full of concern.

"You mean people like you?" Jules smirked weakly.

Granted, he wasn't wrong, but that wasn't the point now.

"That's not what this is about. It's… your brother. Look, I don't know if he dragged it out of you or if he overheard us, but… he's been… spreading these things. Talking to people and trying to entice a mutiny."

"He has?" Jules raised his brow at Raven. He looked surprised. Kind of. It must have been difficult to process, surely. "Hmm."

"Did you… did you tell him something?" Raven asked uncertainly. Jules had promised that he would never. But… if he did, he must have been played.

"I may have… told him a little," Jules sighed. "He was so angry with how he was treated, I just wanted him to know he wasn't alone in this here. Maybe he would feel like he belonged more. I… I had no idea he would try to do this with it."

"Right," Raven nodded. Of course Jules was only trying to take care of his brother. He had no idea what that asshole was going to start. "I know you were just trying to… it's not your fault. I know that."

"Is it… actually a bad thing, Raven?" Jules frowned a bit. "Wouldn't everyone be better off if Mercer was taken down?"

"Well… yeah. I'm just… do you understand that if Mercer gets wind of this, we can be in so much danger? You, me, everyone else involved in this. It would be… a massacre," Raven shuddered. He didn't even want to think about this in too much detail.

"So just be careful," Jules nodded. "I know it would be bad, but… things are already bad. Maybe this will all work out for the best."

Maybe. Raven could only hope. He hadn't been optimistic about anything in a long time.

He wanted to believe that things would turn out alright this time.

But he had been burnt too many times before.

…

Things had been going well for quite some time. Promising even.

The longer this had been going on, the more hopeful Raven got. The chatter was spreading along with the knowledge that Mercer's stranglehold may not have been so absolute. The dreams of overthrowing the man who had been holding them all captive by fear were on everyone's mind and lips.

Raven was doing his part – the part he had always done. He listened, he spied, he continued to look for dissent in the ranks. Except now, when he noted someone else dissatisfied with Mercer's reign of terror, instead of reporting it or keeping his mouth shut for the sake of saving lives, he told Jules. That was all he did. All he was comfortable with doing. Whether Jules chose to tell Bishop afterwards was his choice. Raven still refused to participate in this fully – he was not going to risk Jules's life like this and he was still so pissed that Bishop would. That he would ever start this whole revolution without Jules's knowledge. Jules told Raven that he had sworn Bishop to secrecy, but his brother disregarded that entirely. Asshole.

If anything went wrong, it would be on him.

A few months had passed and, while Raven's anger and anxiety hadn't exactly waned, he was getting cautiously optimistic about the results of this revolt.

Until one day.

All it took was one day. One day to send everything crashing down around him.

One moment really. He may have been too preoccupied, trying to determine who might be discontent with Mercer that he didn't really concentrate on… the others.

Mercer's loyal men. He always knew about them all too well, Ravyn, Cynric, Niruin, all the others. There were many. Some Raven knew would never betray him, some he just never really had figured out. But he was keeping well away from them with all this mutiny talk up in the air.

That was a dire mistake.

It was an accident that he had overheard them talk one day, really. But what he had learned chilled him to the bone. He should have been more attentive. He did note that Mercer had been more and more on edge lately, but he was just kind of… maliciously satisfied with that that he didn't even try to decipher what it could mean.

But it meant the worst thing possible.

Mercer had suspicions. And from overhearing Cynric and Ravyn, Raven learnt that there were suspicions about many Guild members actually planning to move against Mercer. And that Mercer was expecting this.

He would never allow this. And once he knew, it was over. Maybe, maybe, there would be enough of those at the Guild to get rid of Mercer and his loyal lapdogs if he didn't see it coming. But out there, Mercer had too many allies and resources. Vicious allies who would stand by him. The rogues were talking about it already. About a number of bandits coming in to the Guild.

It was a death sentence for anyone involved.

There was no way around this. It was impossible to catch Mercer off guard with a mutiny now, not even if by some miracle they could rally everyone right away, even those that were still all too wary. They weren't ready. And the bandits were already aware. They would slaughter everyone left if Mercer died now.

There was no way around this. This had to end. The mutiny could not go on. Raven had to stop this all before it escalated. He had to save everyone involved. He had to save Jules.

Telling Brynjolf that Mercer was onto them was the first step, but it wasn't enough. Even if it all stopped right now, Mercer wouldn't be satisfied and Raven knew it.

He needed to feel like he actually did quell a rebellion. Or at the very least, that he got rid of someone that tried to spur it.

He needed a scapegoat.

And there was only one option here.

Raven didn't want to do this. He knew that it would hurt Jules more than anything. Despite his earlier betrayal, Jules loved his brother. But he did this. He was the one who started spreading the secrets Jules and Raven shared. He knew the risks. And he dared risk Jules.

Jules might hate him forever for this.

It broke Raven's heart just thinking about this, but what choice did he have? There was no other way to protect everyone. And there was no way that he could ever trust Bishop not to do this shit again if he got off scot-free. This risk was too much. And Raven had only one move left.

He followed Mercer's lapdogs all day, but the more he learned, the more dire everything seemed. He kept running the scenarios in his head – if Jules would ever be able to forgive him, if he would ever be able to even look at him again, but it all ended in disaster.

But this was still preferable to the other endings. It was better if Jules hated him. It was better, just if only he would be alive. Raven couldn't let this happen again. He couldn't bear having him die too.

This was the only way.

With a heavy sigh, he knocked on the door to the Guildmaster's chambers.

The decision had been made. He needed to do what had to be done and just hope that Jules was a much more forgiving person than anyone else would be.

A murmur came from inside the room a second later and Raven promptly entered. Mercer was sitting there by his table, with a goblet in his hand and a rather nonchalant expression on his face, despite everything going on. Maybe he was just calm because his allies were coming. Or maybe he was putting up a front, Raven wasn't sure. It was rare for him not to be able to read a person, but Mercer had always been one of those for him.

"Raven. Got anything interesting for me?" Frey scoffed, as if he didn't really expect anything useful from Raven anymore. Granted, there hadn't been much to discuss lately. Not anything that he was willing to anyway.

"Yes. I found out something. Someone is… talking shit, Mercer. Trying to spur some… mutiny," Raven scowled, trying to seem as disapproving as possible.

"Oh really?" Mercer smirked. Of course he didn't seem even a little surprised. "What have you learned?"

"It's not like anyone listens," Raven rolled his eyes. "You know people wouldn't go against you, but he's still trying."

"Of course they wouldn't go against me. They're not idiots, are they?" Mercer chuckled, but Raven had a feeling he didn't really believe him. "So you're saying all this 'mutiny' talk is just one person? Stupidly loud while trying to be inconspicuous. That sounds strange, doesn't it?"

Shit.

"It is. From what I've learned at least. I overheard him talk to a few people today. Nobody listened," Raven remained adamant. He was sure that Mercer didn't believe him, but he had to stick to this. He couldn't fold. He had to protect them. It wasn't their fault. How could Raven throw them to the wolves for something he himself was doing – wishing that Mercer would be out of the picture? Bishop was the only one who escalated this against everyone's wishes. There had to be a scapegoat and he was the only acceptable one.

"Alright then, Raven," Mercer nodded. What did that mean? "One lunatic barking at people. I get rid of him and it all goes away, is that what you're saying?"

"Yes," Raven nodded. Yes, he would make sure nobody spoke of this ever again. It wasn't worth it. They had a good life here, despite the fear. The risks were not worth the rewards, not by a long shot.

"Very well. Let's do that then. And we'll see if you're right," Mercer smirked.

Really? It would really be this simple? One name and Mercer would leave everyone else alone? Maybe this was the best for him too. Maybe he just needed to make someone out into an example. Maybe he didn't want to lose more members either. Whatever the reason, this could have gone so much worse.

And whatever happened with him and Jules, at least Raven could be certain that he had made the right decision. He saved many lives by this. Jules's included.

"So, Raven? The name?" Mercer gave him an expectant look.

Right. Here goes.

I'm sorry, Jules.

"Bishop."

"Of course," Frey scoffed. "Thorn did say that the Thrice-Banished shits would be trouble. But he did tell me just how to deal with him."

"Are you going to have him killed?" Raven asked uncertainly. He wasn't sure why he was asking. Even if the answer was 'no', it was not going to be anything good. Maybe he was just hoping he could still tell Jules that his brother was alive somehow.

"Oh no," Mercer chuckled. "You wanna punish someone properly, strike at what they care about the most. You should know that by now, Raven."

"What… what does that mean?" Raven couldn't help but shiver visibly. That somehow sounded worse than Bishop being killed. What did Mercer mean? What would he do?

"Don't worry, Raven. You'll see soon enough."