Hours later still, Lucline was downing her last potion. There was the heady rush as the magicka flowed into her again. She brought her hands together and lifted what she hoped was the final rock. As she pulled it inward and to one side, there was a rush of air around the massive stone. While it wasn't fresh air of course, it was fresher than the air they had been breathing since they got trapped in this room.

"Rasina, wake up! We're free!" Lucline called in excitement. Now the big rock was gone, she could see there was some small rocks still in the way, but they could easily shift those with good old elbow grease.

Her companion's eyes fluttered open, and she stood up quickly. "Well done, Lucline. Step back, these are small enough for me to handle."

Rasina cupped her hands and her glowing She-hai appeared between them. She brought it around several times and started cutting up the small rocks until they would be more manageable. Once she had carved a path, both rushed past the wreckage and made for the exit.

It was a good thing they did. Behind them, they heard a rumble from above, warning of another cave in. They had just managed to get out the door and fling themselves onto the sand as there was an even more awful rumble. Lucline felt tears prick her eyes as she watched the Dwemer ruin vanish into nothing more than unpassable stone and sand. Both panted as they lay there, looking at each other and then laughing. They were free and alive.

"Well, that was a good call on your part, Rasina. Had we taken our time like I wanted, we would have been buried even worse."

The Redguard opened her still clenched hands and the She-hai disappeared. "I've lived in these deserts all my life. I suspected a second fall would happen and didn't know how long we had after you removed that last rock. It's weird though, Dwemer ruins are usually more stable than this."

Lucline sat up, pushing her blonde hair out of her eyes. It had gotten lose from its bun while she had been running. "You think this might have been sabotage?"

Rasina rubbed her chin. "Well, I didn't tell anyone where we were going. Did you?"

Lucline shook her head. "No, I didn't." She stood up at the same time as Rasina. "Which makes me think this wasn't meant for us. I'll check with the Society when we get back. It's not usual for us to sponsor trips to the ruins every so often. Though most usually go for the larger complexes further into the desert."

Rasina nodded. "I was suspicious when the Spiders attacked us. They were supposed to have all been deactivated a long time ago by the old Mage's Guild. I have some ideas but would rather not voice them without proof. Let's get back to the city and see what we can dig up. Try to be discreet."

Lucline laughed. "I am very discreet. You, however, are more likely to push someone against the wall and ask the old Guard questions. 'It was you that done it, right?' and 'Admit it, we know you done it.'"

Rasina huffed. "Sometimes that works. But I know when the direct approach doesn't work. I hope you haven't forgotten what I said down there before I took my nap."

Lucline who was trying to put her hair up in a bun again, paused. Rasina had stepped very close to her.

"I…" She was cut off by Rasina's lips pressing to her cheek.

"I love you, Lucline Dufrey. I hope you will stay with me from now on."

Lucline blinked twice and just managed to nod before she fainted right away.

A/N: And the plot thickens. A confession and possibly attempted murder! We will see the results of this scene tomorrow! See you next chapter.