The Nightingales

I had no idea if they were waiting for me inside the Hall. After we had escaped Irkngthand, I told them to wait for me there. I'm not sure they were willing to kill me then and there and still hoped they would at least hear me out. Nevertheless, I stopped at Whiterun on the way home and changed into my Dragon armour, as I now liked to call it, collecting my sword and shield at the same time. Lydia and the Companions would join me. Letters were sent to Tullius and others about events that had taken place. As I'd told Serana before leaving, the end game was near and it was time to end the Thieves Guild menace, once and for all.

"What is this place?" Lydia asked me as we'd gathered near the standing stone.

"Nightingale Hall."

"I remember mother telling me stories of Nightingales. I thought it was all fantasy," Aela stated.

"No, they exist. It explained the armour I was wearing."

"So why are we here?" Lydia wondered.

"I need to talk to my two Nightingale companions. Then we're going to watch and wait until Tullius sends a message. As soon as I have word, we'll enter the city, take out the Guild and arrest Maven."

"Will he believe the evidence?" Farkas wondered.

"He has to. And he told me during our negotiations that he would believe anything we found implicating Maven in any crimes. And he knows the evidence will be reliable." I took a deep breath. "Right, I'm not going to give a time limit on how long I'll be in there. But if it's not me coming out, you have my permission to kill whoever else does, because that will mean I'm dead."

They readily agreed to that as I disappeared inside the hall. I'll admit I went in armed, sword in hand, ready to strike as I had no idea how they were going to react to my presence. Once escaping Irkngthand, little had been said between us. My cover had been well and truly blown, yet they waited for me to say something first. As I said, I simply told them to wait for me at Nightingale Hall and I would meet them there. I wasn't even sure they would be here. Maybe they've headed to the Flagon?

They were not waiting for me near the stone pillars where we had received our Nightingale armour and I was left wondering if they were there. I kept moving forward, my weapon still ready to strike though I did my best to stay calm, listening for anyone approaching from behind. I shouldn't have been surprised that they would be waiting for me at the very spot I had taken the oath. I guess they were trying to get their own not so subtle point across. Both had taken the time to remove their own armour, Brynjolf dressed as he always had been while Karliah had adopted the same look. Neither appeared armed. I noticed two sets of eyes look at me, down at my sword, then at me again.

"I wasn't sure what sort of reception I was going to get," I stated, "Am I safe to sheathe this?"

"For now," Karliah replied. Her tone wasn't ice but it wasn't friendly.

"Ragnar, right?" Brynjolf asked. I nodded. "So, I guess the only question we can ask is… Why did you join the Guild?"

"Is it really that hard to figure out? You should both know why I did."

They shared a look and actually shrugged. 'Guess that means it wasn't too hard.' "So you're Dragonborn?" Karliah finally asked, actually curious.

"Want a demonstration?"

"No, we both saw what happened in Irkngthand. It's just… I always thought they were a myth."

"Like the Nightingales?" I retorted with a smirk.

"Touché."

Then Brynjolf asked the sixty-four-thousand-coin question. "So what happens now?"

"That depends on you two. But I will explain what is happening out there. Right now, an army is on its way to Riften. An army of the Empire of which I may eventually be in command. Prior to the arrival of that army, the Thieves Guild as you know it will end. And Maven Black-Briar will end this war in chains, held in some dark, dank prison in the farthest part of the Empire."

"So what about us?" he followed up.

"You two may remain here."

I noticed the shared look of surprise. "But why not the others?" Brynjolf finally asked.

"Because General Tullius will want to see the Guild buried. And I can't show him an empty Flagon and cistern. Someone, and I mean more than one, must pay for everything that has happened. The evidence is all in there. The end game is that the Guild cannot and will not remain within the walls of Riften."

"So why are you letting us go?" Karliah wondered.

"Because you have already spent twenty-five years on the run and, I'll be honest, I'm more than willing to give you your freedom. Same goes for you, Brynjolf. Your world has been turned upside-down by Mercer, and I guess now by what I have revealed. But, you are now both Nightingales and have your own destinies to fulfil."

"You know we really should just kill you," Brynjolf stated, I thought half-joking, though body language from Karliah suggested she didn't think that was sensible anyway.

I just shrugged. "You can try, if that's the way it has to be. But I don't want to kill either of you."

"What about the Skeleton Key? What about the Oath you undertook?" Karliah asked, "You do realise that Oath is unbreakable. You are tied to Nocturnal."

"The Skeleton Key will remain in my possession until I believe it is time to return it to Nocturnal. As for the Oath, my soul already belongs to someone here, and somewhere else when I die." Then I paused and thought for a moment. "In fact, I have an offer for you. I doubt you'll take me up on it, but I'm wondering if you're willing to hear me out." Both of them shrugged, so I guess they were. "Work for me as Nightingales."

"But we're thieves. That's all I am. A criminal, I'm guessing is all you think of me," Brynjolf stated.

"But you could be more. Karliah, you're an expert shot with a bow. Brynjolf, your sword-craft is exemplary. I can understand why you are both thieves. There's the thrill, the risk, the adrenaline that comes with it. And while I can understand that, and I do having been an active part of the Guild, you both have talents that could be put to far more effective use."

"How so?" Karliah asked, genuinely interested.

"Spies. Both of you. You certainly both have the aptitude for it."

They shared a long glance. "How would that work?"

I shrugged again, making it all up as I went along. "Quite simple, in all honesty. I've been given particularly free reign in regards to who I can recruit and how I use them."

"One condition," Brynjolf requested. I gestured for him to continue. "Recruit two more."

"Who?"

"Delvin and Vex."

I couldn't help the chuckle. "Vex will want to knife me as soon as you tell her. Delvin… I think this will just break him that little bit more. Add to that…" I trailed off as Brynjolf was near pleading with his eyes.

"If what you say is true, then they may take this as an opportunity to get out. And, more importantly, they're my friends. Not just colleagues. You understand?"

I met his eyes and nodded. I did, utterly. "I'll grab them then. Wait here." Then I paused. "And I suggest you take that advice."

Karliah smirked. "There are people outside?" I nodded. "I can only assume quite a few. A sensible move, considering the circumstances."

I found Vex and Delvin at the Flagon and, without saying too much, asked them to accompany me. I think they both knew something was up as, while they were curious, they actually stayed quiet as I led them out of Riften towards Nightingale Hall. Karliah and Brynjolf had moved from what I called the Oath Room to one of the larger rooms prior, sat down with empty chairs available for the three of us. Once we were all comfortable, I asked Karliah and Brynjolf to explain what was going on.

I was right about Vex. She was fast. Very fast. I fended off her attacks with just my shield before finally disarming her, my sword at her throat. The three others were on their feet. "Ragnar, you don't have to," Brynjolf stated.

I smiled. "I'm not. But Vex here has to calm down and see reason."

"Reason? You're destroying us!"

"I'm giving you an opportunity. The way I see it now, you have three choices."

Her eyes narrowed. "And what are those?"

"One. You accept the offer, we sit down and sort out the details. Two. You spend the next few decades somewhere in jail as, if you throw this back in my face, I will see you in chains. Three. You're dead if you choose to fight me. Please don't make me choose option two or three. Like I've told the others, I appreciate your skills and I'm willing to let you all start with a clean slate. So why not put your skills to better use?"

"Because I'm only interested in gold!" she exclaimed.

"Who says you're not going to see plenty of it in the coming weeks, months and years if you join me?"

"What have you got planned?" Karliah asked, suddenly very interested.

I kept my eyes on Vex as I answered. "Think of what is happening beyond these borders. You think the civil war is everything? Trust me, it's only the beginning. While I'm at it, Karliah, I have a suggestion."

"What is it?"

"I think you have two more who could take the Oath. What do you think?"

"It's up to them as it's not something you would do unwillingly. Devlin, Vex. The choice is yours. Will you just us and become Nightingales?"

"You're serious?" Delvin asked, staggered at the thought.

"We wouldn't offer if we didn't think you were capable," she replied.

"What do we have to do?" he enquired.

Karliah looked at me, probably for permission. I nodded my agreement. "If you two will follow me, I'll explain it as we go."

That left me alone with Brynjolf who, the longer we sat together in silence, appeared more disappointed than angry about everything that happened. Finally, his eyes locked with mine again, as he was doing his best to avoid them. Then he shrugged. "Call me disappointed, lad. You'd have made one hell of a thief."

"But I never really robbed anything?"

He smiled. "That's where you're wrong, lad. You broke into Goldenglow. You broke into Mercer's house. And other acts performed suggested you were someone very talented indeed. I'll admit, though, that none of us had a clue about who you really were. We just thought you were the answer to many of our problems." He sighed. "I guess we should have known…"

"But I didn't perform any general thievery. I didn't rob ordinary people of their coin and possessions."

"So why did you help us then? With Mercer?"

"I said why. That bastard tried to kill me and came very bloody close to doing so. I was always going to have my revenge. It wasn't the fact he was just a thief. He was a murderer. Ordinarily, I would have brought him to justice but he made it incredibly personal. And I knew there was no way he was walking out of that room if I didn't kill him."

"What about the Eyes?" he wondered.

"They're yours. Find someone to sell them to and take the coin."

Raised eyebrows in surprise. "Seriously?"

I shrugged. "Why not? You got them fair and square."

He dipped his head. "You have my thanks."

The other three disappeared, Vex and Delvin now dressed in Nightingale armour. "I could get used to this," Delvin stated, running a hand down his other arm, "Very nice. Very nice indeed."

"So what now?" Karliah wondered.

"You're all willing to take my deal?" I met them all in the eyes, receiving four nods in return. I'll admit to breathing an enormous sigh of relief. "I understand you may feel hesitant. Perhaps guilty about what is to come. But, while I'm not promising the wealth you may be expecting, you will be looked after. However, I have one further request. I want all four of you to swear an oath of loyalty to me. And I want you to swear it in front of witnesses." All four shared a glance before I again received nods of agreement.

I grabbed Lydia and the four Companions outside, asking them to join me in the Hall. They were hesitant at first until I explained what I wanted and, in the end, were not surprised that I had managed to negotiate for the four to join my cause.

"Take a knee," I instructed the four Nightingales to take once everyone was in place. Once they had taken a knee, I unsheathed my sword. "Repeat after me," I started, walking along and touching their shoulder with the tip of my sword, "I, your name, swear my allegiance to the Dragonborn." I waited until those words were repeated. "My previous life will be forgotten and forgiven. I will now obey all orders of the Dragonborn, unless those orders are deemed unworthy of those who choose to follow him." I waited again. "If I fail to follow just orders, or choose to return to my life of crime, my life will be forfeit and will be in the hands and judgement of the Dragonborn." I waited until the words were completed.

I stopped and sheathed my sword. "Stand up," I stated kindly, waiting until they were stood in a line and they nearly came to attention, waiting for my next words.

"Nightingales, welcome to the Dragonborn Army."

*****

Karliah led our line of horses, deep in conversation with Delvin and Brynjolf. I don't know what about and wasn't too concerned. We had departed Riften in the morning after the events of the previous day. The Companions and Lydia were not surprised when I told them I'd recruited the four Nightingales. 'You could convince a starving man to hand over his last piece of bread,' was how Lydia put it. I think she meant it kindly…

Vex rode by herself behind Karliah as I brought up the rear. She kept glancing back at me every so often. I just returned a smile but I knew something was on her mind. I knew she was still unsure about the choice she made. Karliah, I believe, was happy to have something to believe in again. Brynjolf was going with the flow, much like joining the Nightingales to begin with. Delvin was just happy to know he would no longer be cursed once the key was returned. Vex, though, was an enigma.

She finally slowed her horse down until she fell in alongside me. "Lovely day," I stated, making sure I looked up towards the cloudless sky, listening to the wind rustle the trees around us. This part of Skyrim was incredibly beautiful. Peaceful too. Far different to Riften.

"Would you have done it?" she finally asked.

"Done what?"

"Killed me. Would you have done it?"

I shrugged. "If you forced my hand, yes. I was hoping you wouldn't."

"It's a lot to take in. It still is. Being a thief is all I've ever known. I wouldn't even know what a spy does."

"Neither do I, in all honesty. But you're used to working in the shadows and obtaining things that are not yours. Spies, I think, work like that. Instead of stealing things, you'll gather information. Possibly by stealing things."

"How long were you thinking about doing all this?"

"Honestly, I was making it up as I went along. I'm not a complete bastard. My heart went out to Karliah after everything she went through. I couldn't ruin her life even further. Brynjolf too."

"So what about Devlin and I?"

"Brynjolf asked if I would recruit you. I said yes."

"And the others?"

"Are a worthy sacrifice to ensure the rest of you stay out of jail." I looked her in the eyes. "The whole point of joining the Guild was to bring it down. That's what will happen. You will thank me for it later."

She smirked. "Part of me still wants to stick a dagger in you."

I laughed. "Why do you think I was bringing up the rear?!" She took a moment then she smiled. "Listen, I'm not expecting us to be friends or anything like that. Not after everything that has happened. But I certainly respect all four of you in regards to the skills I have seen and in what I believe you can bring in assistance to my cause. Not against the Guild, but in the civil war and whatever else may follow. That's why I had all of you say the Oath."

She was quiet, thoughtful for at least a minute or so. Then nodded. "All of that sounds rather fair, Hen… Ragnar. Or do you prefer…"

I raised a hand to stop her. "Please, just call me Ragnar. I have other titles which others will call me. But you four can just call me by my name."

I was left thinking she was still unsure, probably like the other three, so we chatted about nothing of consequence as we continued to follow Karliah, eventually passing Falkreath to our right before we turned off into the forest. We followed a path, overgrown by grass and weeds, as the five of us ensured we travelled closer together. I don't think anyone would have been stupid enough to take on five heavily armed strangers but I've seen bandits do incredibly stupid things. Or perhaps we'd run into a bear or two. That was always fun.

Karliah eventually raised her hand, bringing us to a halt next to a small stream. Ahead I could see a pair of braziers, in the middle an entrance to what I would normally had thought was a cave. But I knew this was the Sepulcher.

"I was expecting something else," Delvin muttered.

"Like what?" Vex asked.

"Some grand temple or something."

"It's a daedric temple, Delvin. Generally, worshippers try not to draw attention to them," Karliah added.

"What does it look like inside?" I wondered.

Karliah shrugged. "I'm not sure. It's been more than two decades since I set foot in there. And… I won't be going in with you today."

"Why not?"

"I can't bear to face Nocturnal after my failure to protect the Key. I leave it to the four of you to return it along the Pilgrim's Path as we've already discussed."

"Are you sure, Karliah?" Brynjolf asked.

"I'm sure. I'll stand watch out here and await your triumphant return."

The four of us agreed not to enter armed, unsure as to who or what would be waiting for us inside, but we were confident enough that it wouldn't be dangerous. Unsurprisingly, it was black as night inside, Brynjolf and Vex lighting a torch apiece and we wandered around the entrance. I was surprised that there was nothing except stone pillars and a dirt floor. If this had once been a temple dedicated to a daedra, then I could only assume that someone had not kept up with the upkeep of the place.

Like a lot of these temples, there was magic at play, as the further into the temple we walked, braziers started to light up ahead of us, revealing a set of stairs leading towards a corridor. We agreed that was the way towards the Pilgrim's Path. Delvin noted that he'd found a few skeletons and also a tattered journal. Much of it was unreadable but one or two sections appeared to provide information about what we might face later.

Our conversation stopped as a single, ghostly figure walked towards us, appearing from the corridor at the top of the stairs. I knew it was someone important when I heard Brynjolf gasp next to me. "It cannot be," he whispered. The ghost stopped at the top of the stairs as the four of us stood in a line at the bottom. He clearly looked over all four of us before stopping quite obviously at the man next to me.

"Brynjolf?" the ghost asked.

"Gallus?" he asked in return.

The ghost nodded. "It is, old friend. And you're now a Nightingale?"

"Aye, I am."

"And I see you have brought three more of us. Or, at least, I sense that are like us. They have undertaken the Oath as well?"

"Aye, they have, old friend."

"What brings you here?"

"This," I stated, taking the Skeleton Key from my pocket.

"The Key!" Gallus exclaimed, "I never thought I would see it again. But what of the man who betrayed me, the Guild and Noctural. What of Mercer Frey?"

"He's dead," I replied, "Died while trying to take the Eyes."

"The Eyes of the Falmer? You found and have them?"

"Aye, we do. You should have seen the statue. It was everything you would have imagined," Brynjolf replied.

Gallus nodded, albeit sadly, even in his ghostly form. "Then it's all over and my death wasn't in vain. I owe you all a great deal, Nightingales."

"There's more, Gallus. Karliah, she's alive," Brynjolf stated.

"Karliah! She's still alive?" I honestly thought he was about to jump for joy at the news. "I feared she'd befallen the same fate, ending up a victim of Mercer's betrayal."

"Mercer tried his best. Twenty-five years she was on the run," I explained, "She's actually waiting outside right now."

"Why did she not come in?"

"She thinks she failed Nocturnal."

Gallus shook his head. "No, if anyone failed, I did. I was blinded. Blinded by dark treachery masquerading as friendship. Perhaps if I had been more vigilant, then Mercer Frey wouldn't have lured me to my fate and stolen the Skeleton Key."

"Well, I think it's time we put it back and restore order, don't you think?" I suggested.

"Good idea, Nightingale." Gallus then gestured. "Behind me is the Pilgrim's Path. Follow it to the Ebonmere, return the Key and our conduit to Evergloam will be restored."

"One minute, Ragnar. There's something I should do first," Brynjolf stated, turning and walking back to the entrance.

Delvin started to laugh. "He really is an old softie."

"What's he doing?" Vex wondered.

"What do you think?"

Her question was answered moments later when Karliah followed Brynjolf into the Sepulcher. They were in fervent conversation before there was an audible gasp and a hand moved to the facemask covering her features. She removed it first before asking quietly, "Gallus?"

"And I think that's our signal to leave," I said quietly, wandering past the ghost and into the first corridor of the Pilgrim's Path.

The Pilgrim's Path was what we had discussed and expected. A series of tests to prove our worthiness. I may sound rather cocky but I didn't think any of them were particularly difficult, and with four of us working together, we just made sure to take our time so, in the end, all four of us would walk out of there in one piece.

There were five tests in total, a series of challenges of our intelligence, strength, courage, dexterity and, to be honest, not a little luck as well. While I wouldn't say there were any particularly close calls, there were one or two moments which resulted in a sharp intake or holding of breath. I followed the other three and used the trials as another assessment of their skills. I'm glad I wasn't disappointed once all tasks had been successfully and rather easily completed, though I think the Path may have been designed for a lone Nightingale, not four, which probably helped us.

The four of us eventually ended up wandering down a dark corridor, coming to a halt at the edge of a well. Or, it looked like one. A circular hole in the floor, which would normally be full of water? To me, that's a well. Anyway, we stood around the well, looking down. "So, do we jump or what?" I finally asked.

"It doesn't look too far down. I think we should be okay," Brynjolf stated.

"Speak for yourself, Bryn. I'm an old man nowadays," Devlin complained.

"Stop your bellyaching. If I can do it, so can you," Vex added.

Before anyone could say a word, I took a deep breath and jumped down. It was further than I thought but at least I didn't hear anything important snap upon landing, looking up and gesturing for the other three to follow. Once together again, we shared one or two glances as we now had to wait for… whatever happened next.

"You do realise we're now stuck down here until…" Devlin started but trailed off as he earned a couple of hard glances.

I took the Key from my pocket. "Maybe I have to do something with this?"

The three others looked around. "I don't see a lock or anything. Just the bones of some other poor bastard," Brynjolf stated.

"Anything there?" Vex wondered.

"No, but I think they are the remains of the gentleman mentioned in the journal Devlin found."

I think after a couple of minutes we started to grow increasingly concerned. I continued to hold onto the Skeleton Key and it started to slowly vibrate in my hand the longer we waited. I held it up for the others to see and finally something started to happen. A blinding light was emitted by the Key, causing all of us to close our eyes and look away. By the time we'd been able to blink and return out sight, we noticed the well around us had disappeared.

"Huh… Some sort of illusion maybe," Vex muttered.

The first thing I noticed was the pool, or what looked like a pool, in front of us. It certainly wasn't water. More than likely it was magical, though I'm definitely not smart enough to tell you any more than that. Leading away from the centre were a series of streams towards portals in the wall. Otherwise, there was little else around us. Unsure of where to place the Key, Brynjolf suggested I should simply place it in the middle pool. I did as he suggested, placing the Key down and standing back, waiting for whatever was to happen next.

A feminine figure appeared in front of us. None of us would have known who it was but I think all four of us would have guessed it was Nocturnal herself. She glanced across all four of us, and I think for the briefest of moments, the presence of four of us confused her. But, as a I said, it was a brief moment.

"My, my. What do we have here? It's been a number of years since I've set foot on your world. Or perhaps it's been moments. One tends to lose track."

"We've returned the Key," I stated, holding it up.

"So once again the Key has been stolen and a champion, or in this case champions, return it to the Sepulcher. Now that Ebonmere has been restored, you stand before me awaiting your accolades; a pat on your head, a kiss on your cheek. What you fail to realize is your actions were expected and represent nothing more than the fulfilment of your agreement."

"We four are Nightingales. But take a closer look at one of us. Tell me what you see," I stated, interrupting her flow of dialogue. What I'd learned is that some people just loved to talk. Daedra, in particular.

I don't think the figure in front of us was a real person. It wasn't a figment of our imaginations. Perhaps it was some sort of projection? I'm not sure, but there is no doubt Nocturnal cast a keen eye over all of us before stopping at me. "Well, this is a surprise. The Dragonborn himself has undertaken the Oath."

"That's what I want to talk to you about. I'm not sure about my colleagues but there is definitely something I want."

"And what would that be?"

"I've returned the Key as per the agreement and, as stated, as expected. But you have three souls here, plus Karliah and also Gallus, who has been waiting her for at least the past twenty-five years. I'm sure you can figure out where I want to go when I die and it certainly isn't the Evergloam or to become 'one with the shadows'. And it's unlikely you'll claim my soul anyway."

"You'd be surprised by what I can claim, Dragonborn."

"Indeed. But, as I was saying, since you already have five souls within the Sepulcher already, I believe the returning of the Key should suffice in meeting your agreement and therefore I wish to terminate it forthwith."

"You wish to break your Oath? I thought Nords kept their oaths until death."

"I do not wish to speak ill of Daedra, but you are not man or mer. Therefore, in my mind, the same rules don't apply."

"If the agreement is broken, you will no longer have the benefits of being an Agent of Nocturnal, Dragonborn. Are you sure you wish to proceed?"

"I do. I know what I want, alive or dead. I appreciate what you have to offer but I have… other plans."

She was silent for a while and I thought ready to order the other three to attack me. But whether it was through benevolence or some other thoughts or feelings, she finally responded. "Very well, Dragonborn. As you have restored the Key to its rightful place, and as I have enough people ready to defend this shrine, I will release you from your Oath. Note that, once you leave this place, you shall never return. The Nightingales in my presence are now instructed to kill you if you ever set foot in here again."

"Fine by me."

"Do you understand the order, Nightingales?" she asked.

"We do," stated the other three.

I took a step back and gestured for the three others to step forward, figuring Nocturnal would want to speak to them. "You three have obediently performed your duties to the letter. But we both know this has little to do with honour and oaths and loyalty. It's about the reward; the prize. Fear not. You'll have your trinkets, your desire for power, your hunger for wealth."

"Coin sounds good," Delvin stated.

"The Oath has been struck, the die has been cast and fate awaits you in the Evergloam. Farewell, Nightingales. See to it the Key stays this time, won't you?"

Nocturnal disappeared, the four of us turning around to see a portal, through which Karliah and Gallus walked through. Gallus spoke to everyone, even me, before he shared his last words with Karliah, the pair professing their undoubted love for each other. Having got to know Karliah well, despite everything, I was glad to see a relatively happy ending for the pair of them.

Once Gallus blinked out of existence, the five of us wandered through the portal, arriving back at the entrance of the Sepulcher. Once outside, we mounted our horses and began the long journey back to Riften.

It wasn't all over just yet.