Northbound Pilgrimage II

Chapter LXXXVII - Bronze Waters

She perched atop the grand dome, scanning the horizon with keen eyes.

Karliah knew about the perfect vantage point. She was right above the entrance to Irkngthand, with her pack full of healing supplies ready. She could just scale the dome down if Bishop and Aeyrin had to retreat and at least she was hidden this way. She had been taking rests continuously – a half hour of rest, then an hour and a half of alertness. She couldn't doze off for a long time. This way, if she was resting when they came out, they wouldn't have to wait long for help, even if she missed their arrival.

Not only that, but she had the perfect view of the actual 'exit'. The strange mechanized elevating platform that Mercer's notes had described. She could see it clearly from her vantage point. If they came out that way, it wouldn't escape her notice either.

They had been there for over a day.

She knew that going through a place like this took a long time and she was nothing if not patient. But... she worried. The stakes were high. Everything depended on this plan going off without a hitch. She couldn't allow Mercer to take hold of the Eyes. And... Bishop and Aeyrin were good agents. And perhaps even friends. Losing them would be tragic. Not to mention losing a very promising potential Nightingale.

But they were used to this, weren't they? They went exploring ancient ruins on a regular basis. She knew that Dwemer cities were extremely dangerous, but they had done this before. They knew how to maneuver the situation.

And luck was on their side. She was sure of it. It was on her side after all.

She let out a calming sigh and looked over the horizon again. It was really quite beautiful here. She didn't get to the snowy regions too often, not unless she was visiting Enthir. Though the cold had been getting to her. She almost even missed the ash and heat of Morrowind at times.

But that place had never been kind to her. The only good thing that came out of there was her taking the first step to getting to know her Mistress.

Everything else was lost there, beneath the ash.

She would make sure not to lose anything else here. Not after everything she had already lost.

Suddenly something caught her eye.

The exit! That structure with the platform under it, something was happening. It looked like the bars closing it off were opening.

She knew that it was only possible to do from the inside.

That was them! They got out! Thank the Mistress!

She stood up on the dome and peered into the distance. A figure clad in all black emerged from the structure and began rushing away instantly.

Bishop? But where was Aeyrin? Did something happen?

Karliah got a bad feeling in her gut instantly, but then she concentrated on the figure a bit more.

That wasn't Bishop!

But who...?

Oh! Mother of Shadows! No!

...

The water was up to Aeyrin's chin now and rising steadily.

They had no idea what to do. There was no exit out of this place. They were trapped. Mercer had escaped and there was no egress for them.

When the water got past her mouth, Aeyrin tried to swim up, but suddenly she realized that she couldn't.

She was too heavy! Her armor and pack were weighing her down so much, she was stuck to the ground no matter what. Her eyes went wide in panic and Bishop instantly noticed. She could try to drop her armor and things, but she was still going to drown when the water reached the ceiling!