Northbound Pilgrimage II

Chapter XC - When the Dust Settles

Author's Note:

So, this is the longest chapter published yet. I don't know why this one. For the most of it, it's a respite chapter in the middle of the plotline, of sorts, but... it just happened and now it's the longest one :D Sometimes it just gets away from me. So I hope that you'll enjoy this, even with the somewhat eased pace (as the title suggests, after all). And I hope you're excited for the rest of the plotline too :)

Oh, and shout-out to Rainpebble3 on this chapter. She knows why ;) :D And I highly recommend to those of you who haven't already read her fics on AO3 to do so. They are absolutely amazing <3

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Brynjolf sure loved to make speeches.

Granted, he was good at it too. And it was no easy task to convince everyone to lay down their arms after that mess in the cistern. There were grudges, bad blood, friends betrayed, people lost, yet the man managed to keep the aftermath... civil.

Along with the four mercenaries, ten thieves died in the battle and six more were wounded. And even though Aeyrin did her best to heal the rogues that she could, no matter their previous actions against her or anyone else, tensions were still all too high and everyone was on edge. Some were still angry about Mercer's death, some were angry about the Guild being undermined by Karliah's network and some were angry that Karliah got to get off scot-free from that stunt. So many have died because of her brash actions. So many more could have died.

But somehow, Brynjolf managed to talk everyone down. Mercer's own horrid deeds have certainly helped the man's case. Especially after everyone leant what happened to Thrynn and what really happened to Raven, all without anyone else's knowledge. Aside from a few of Mercer's loyal men who were now dead. Those were the first ones to attack after all.

Still, there was nothing easy about moving on for many of them. Despite the atrocities done in the Guild's name and done to their own brethren, they have lost much. And it wasn't only Mercer's most loyal who died in the battle.

The next few days were spent in somber mourning and recuperation.

Brynjolf was determined to mend bridges no matter what. And after a long private discussion with Karliah, which nobody else witnessed, he wanted what was best for the Guild. In his eyes, nothing could hurt them more now than remaining enemies with Karliah. A lot of the rogues protested, but in the end, they all conceded. It was for the best. No more threats to their businesses and certainly no more threats to their lives.

Nobody took Mercer's place as the Guildmaster, but it became clear soon enough what the plan was.

A lot of new members came to the Guild, drawn from the pools of Karliah's small operations all over Skyrim. Maven's support was secured once more with Mercer dead and Karliah volunteered to venture into Mercer's mansion to find the Eyes of the Falmer and give them to the Guild. The goal was clear – the Guild would prosper under Karliah's network. It would have probably been harder to stomach for most of the rogues if the prospects weren't so profitable. Karliah had plenty of groups under her thumb already and most of the decimated empire of Frey had already been rebuilt in her name instead. And now all of that was theirs – the Guild was on the precipice of its former glory and whatever Mercer stole from them would be gained back after the treasure was sold.

Despite their mourning and their losses, the Guild was looking at a bright future at last.

Karliah and Brynjolf were coordinating a lot of the efforts. Brynjolf often deferred to her for organization and decisions – the thieves may not have been too thrilled about that, but most of the operations were under her direction already, it only made sense.