Rest is not for the wicked, I thought as we flew back to Skyrim. I don't know if I've slept since I shouted that priest to dust. I would be fine if I had Beastblood but I don't, so the lack of sleep was affecting me in numerous ways. However when I did sleep, I had nightmares full of paper and if you ever have been into Apocrypha you should probably have War-Shock flashbacks at any stacks of paper being turned rapidly.

I keep seeing a Dragon Priest wearing the wooden mask, standing at the end of a hall of burned, aged paper. Dragonbane was on his back and tentacles came out of his robe at the hems and sleeves. He turns to look at me and the mask slips off his face to reveal my wife and son horrifically morphed, begging me, "Kill us."

Then I wake up.

I'm not shaking.

Or crying.

I just wake up and continue on.

I don't know if that's more disturbing than the dream itself. Feeling nothing, knowing that if I fail that dream can become reality. I dozed off again and then I was woken by Serana. "We're here Talion, Mzinchaleft."

"Good, good," I croaked in exhaustion, "the most straightforward entry. Paarthurnax!" I went to his head and hugged him, my voice cracking, "Thank you, thank you so much! Farewell."

Paarthurnax nodded and soared into the air.

"Do we need a key?"

"The Attunement Sphere. Should be in there."

"You left it there?" Serana asked, walking towards the entrance. "Hope no-one used it."

"If they did we should still be able to get in." I groaned getting in the elevator.

"Talion," Serana asked, "are you..." she hesitated, shifting her weight on her feet, "alright?"

"Peachy, how else do you think?" I snapped.

"I meant do you need sleep?"

"I need to get to Blackreach!"

Serana grew quiet and got into the elevator with me. I pressed the dwarven button and we descended into darkness. I sighed, "I'm sorry."

"Your the silent and moody adventurer," she teased, "I know."

"Oh? And you're my loyal concubine?"

I saw her eyes look at me in the darkness as the elevator's gears continued to whir. She continued to stare at me for a moment and my heart fluttered. I shouldn't have said that, I thought.

"Oh Divines!" Neloth boomed in our heads, "Get a room already! I won't tell."

Serana and I both cursed as our ears rang, in fact we both cupped them in pain.

"Oblivions, Neloth you sound like a bloody Divine!"

"Ha! I always have, you fool!"

"No!" Serana grimaced, "Like you're so loud if you don't quiet down our ears are going to bleed!"

"Well having my voice to be the last thing you hear wouldn't be too bad. Here, I'll see what I can do to fix this issue, you go do whatever it is you're doing." He shouted behind him, "Servant! What's your name again? Where's my Nirnroot tea?!"

As if on cue the elevator reached the Great Lift, or simply, another elevator or lift that goes into Blackreach. I walked towards the lift and noticed the light shining from my bag. I took out the lantern Neloth gave us and observed it giving off as much light as a normal lamp.

"Well, we're close."

I pulled up my coif, and set my bag down to unpack my headgear and potion pouch I used to keep on my lower back. It's been a while since I've worn it and it took a bit to put it in its old place. Having personally combat tested it the leather, sea sponges and other shock absorbers will protect my potions if I fall, but if my full weight rested on the bag for a few about a minute or two I could blow up. No, no that was my old poison bag, you did not want your poisons to bust.

Serana was waiting at the lift. "You nervous?"

I thought a moment and shrugged. Not wanting to admit my feelings.

"Well I am, and I know you are."

"I'm just tired Serana."

"Uh huh, if you are then we should camp."

"Serana." I growled in a low, authoritative voice. She sighed and kept silent as I joined her on the lift beside her. "Into the depths we go, and unto the breach once more."

Ethrellden's pov

"I have another report, Jarl Black-Briar. A dragon, much like the one the High King left Solitude on, has flown over Solitude and towards the Northern Mounts of Skyrim."

Maven let out a thoughtful breath and began to walk around her throne.

"And of the assassins I told you to send?"

"Even though you did not request it, my liege. I already gave them backup duties should they not find a target."

Maven began pacing, like she had expected us to stop a dragon, and so I added, "My spies assume that the High King went to Solstheim to get his wife and son out of a book of sorts. It's well known, even to you great Jarl, that the High King received foreign recognition and favor in the eyes of Neloth, the Telvanni wizard in Solstheim. So it's more than likely he consulted with him there."

She stopped and asked, "How's the Thieves Guild, Ethrellden?"

So sudden, I noted.

"All is as it should be, my Jarl." I lied.

She paced again, "Thank you Spymaster Ethrellden, you're dismissed." I rose to leave but before I could depart the Jarl added, "Oh, Ethrellden?" I turned to he and she gave me the smirk of Sithis, "I'm not stupid."

"I never said you were my liege."

"Right, you have a nice evening Spymaster."

I turned on my heel and left the hall sweating. The night was cool, just like several other nights in Skyrim. The wooden buildings of Riften creaked or groaned when I passed. Going past the well at the market, I didn't go to the Ratway. Oh no, Delvin and Brynjolf were sure to try and slit my throat; I went to the docks through the warehouse. Once I stepped out the door a sword was at my neck.

"Hello," I uttered, "Karliah. You knew I was coming."

The petite dark elf sheathed her sword. I was trying to be discreet about admiring her physical beauty but ever since I told her of my feelings she's been a bit more trusting... and much more self-conscious. She arched a brow at me, "I told you not to look at me like that."

I kept my eyes straight ahead and sighed, "My apologies."

"So," her sweet voice asked, "how did today's meeting go?"

"I think she's suspicious of me keeping secrets from her of the Guild."

"Hmph," Karliah thought aloud, "but she can keep secrets from you? Typical Maven."

"I know right? I'm a spymaster, keeping secrets is what I do. We know she consults two other spymasters behind my back and my reports of the Guild are probably really beginning to differ from theirs."

"Can you keep the act up a little longer?"

"Karliah, Maven is getting ready to attempt a coup on the High King. Her spymasters probably told her to act now, and if she thinks that the Guild is on his side," I leaned forward for emphasis, "which it is. Then she's going to pour rat poison into the Ratway."

"What then are you suggesting?"

"Relocation."

"We can't do that-"

"Nightingale Hall, Karliah."

He pug face turned into a scowl, "You've been following me."

"I'm a spymaster... after all."

"That still feels-"

"Then call it tailing Karliah," I snapped, "thieves do it all the time but for the love of the Divines heed my words. Please?"

Without another word I went back into Riften. My fists were clenched, as I walked and mentally begged, please Karliah, take my advice! I don't want to see her or anyone else becoming like my crew back in Morrowind. Once back in my home I realized I unconsciously stroked the feather in my hair and stopped myself.

"Oh Divines," I mumbled to no one at all, "I miss you so much... Sieriell."

A/N: Pronunciation!

Ethrellden (lower e like in health not ē as in eel, eth-rell-den.

Rell rhymes with tell)

*just add feather hair accessory & elvish ears

Sieriell (not cereal but cer-Ī-L or just say seer- then I- then L)