Walk by the Shadows

XVII. Speaking with Silence

Mercer waited for her as usual behind his desk; Brynjolf stood beside him, but his eyes were the only ones to light up at her return—Mercer's narrowed.

"So what did you learn from Gulum-Ei, lass?" Brynjolf asked.

She watched for any reactions when she spoke. "He said it was Karliah."

Their reactions weren't held back. Brynjolf's mouth popped open as his usual stance of crossed arms fell in disbelief. For the first time, Mercer's impassive face dropped as the blood drained.

"No, it... it can't be. I haven't heard that name in years," he whispered. "I hoped to never cross paths with her again."

Macayla crossed her arms as she planted herself; she would get all the answers this time. "Alright, so you both know her. Gulum-Ei told me she murdered someone. What all did she do?"

"She betrayed the Guild by killing the previous Guildmaster, Gallus," Brynjolf began.

"And tried to kill me," Mercer finished. "Karliah destroyed everything this Guild stands for. After everything, we spent months trying to track her down, but she vanished."

That explained Gulum-Ei's fear of ratting her out; this Karliah sounded like she wouldn't think twice about killing the lizard if betrayed.

"But why do you think she's returned? Why is she mad at you?"

"Karliah and I were like partners. I went with her on every heist; I watched her back. I know her technique, her skills; if she kills me, there'd be no one who could catch her. If only we knew where she was..."

"Gulum-Ei told me she said, 'where the end began'. He didn't know what that meant, though."

Understanding clicked in Mercer's eyes. "I do; that can only mean Snow Veil Sanctum—where she killed Gallus and attempted to kill me."

He looked down at his desk for a moment, then pushed from it. "Then it's decided: we're going to end this now by killing her."

Macayla was taken aback for a second. "We?"

"Yes; we. I know how she fights, and she's a master marksman; no matter how well others say you blend in the shadows, she'll find you."

"I'm going too," Brynjolf interjected.

"No." Brynjolf turned to argue, but Mercer kept going. "You're the only one who knows what Karliah looks like. If something happens to us, she'd head straight here. You have to stay here and protect the Guild. To be safe, keep it on lockdown; no one comes in or out until we return."

He looked at Macayla. "Get ready; our destination is outside of Winterhold. We have to get out there before she disappears again." Mercer Frey headed off to prepare himself.

Brynjolf walked up to her; for the longest neither said a word—worry trembled in his eyes.

"Be careful out there, lass. Karliah's a clever one. You make sure you come back to us."

He was truly afraid for her. "I'll be back. I've almost been killed once; I'm not letting there be a second time."

***

Mercer Frey and Macayla left out through the graveyard exit; when the false crypt shut behind them, the Cistern was locked off. The moon had gone to sleep when the two thieves made their way out of Riften, banged on the stables until a sleepy stable hand appeared—Shadr, who recognized his savior, took their money for two horses—then set out at a steady gallop north to Snow Veil Sanctum, a five-day's journey by foot but shaved to two days on horseback.