Solitude had been wonderful, but I was glad to be home at last.

On the last day of our honeymoon, I fulfilled my promise to Bryn, and we heisted several stores in the dead of night. No one had suspected anything the next morning, but we made sure to hightail it out of the city before anyone started pointing fingers.

After many days of traveling, Bryn and I had finally come within sight of our home. The trees around the crumbling path cleared a little, giving us a view of the front gates, down to the dingy stones and ivy breaking through the mortar. I chuckled under my breath, remembering what it was like when I first came to Riften, and how much I had changed in the past months.

"Something funny, lass?" asked Brynjolf as we jumped out of the carriage.

"Nothing, honey. Just... reminiscing."

The guards opened the front gate for us, and instantly I knew something was off within the city. There was a shift in the wind. Something had happened while we were gone. Something big enough to change the very air around the city.

As we ambled through the buildings, seeking the cause of the strangeness, Bryn and I came across one of Maven's personal lackeys, Maul—brother of our very own Dirge—strangling the stable master's helper in front of the Barb.

"Maul!" I shouted, and the brute dropped the poor Redguard instantly. The stablehand got to his feet and scurried back towards the gates, thanking me as he went.

"Oh," said Maul, facing me. His meaty arms crossed over his steel-covered chest, muscles flexing as he said, "you're back from... wherever you went."

"Why were you trying to kill that poor sod?" asked Bryn. "You ought to know better than that."

He responded by shrugging one massive shoulder. "A fella has to make money somehow. Hard when you're unemployed."

"Unemployed?" I asked. "But you work for Maven."

He laughed harshly, the sounds bouncing off the walls around us. "That's rich." His face became hard. "And also not funny at all."

"What are you talking about?"

His brow rose, eyes widening. "You don't know, do you?"

I gave Bryn a confused glance, which he returned. "Know what?"

"The day after you left, Maven was found dead in her office. Her face was still twisted in fear, like she'd been... scared to death."

My jaw dropped open. "Maven Black-Briar is... dead?"

Maul nodded. "Yeah. Hemming has been taking care of the meadery, and Ingun's been working to get her family's affairs in order. The guards have even allowed Sibbi to be released from prison. They said he's served his sentence, and he deserves to be with his family now."

I could not believe it. Maven was actually dead? The old hag finally kicked? I wanted to laugh, but I thought better of it. It would not be an acceptable reaction to finding out about something so morbid. "This is... shocking."

Maul nodded. "With Maven dead, the Black-Briars decided they didn't need my services anymore. I've had to start beating people senseless for coin." He cringed. "I'm better than this."

"You are, which is why I want you to return to the Guild," I said. "Be a lookout like your brother. We pay better than the Black-Briars, I bet."

"You do at the moment, anyway." He laughed a little. "All right, I'll do it. Thanks... boss."

After Maul left to go through the Ratway, Bryn and I took the secret entrance to the Guild. We stepped down the ladder and into the dark, smelly, and dank Cistern.

Ah, it's good to be home.

While Bryn and I had been gone, it seemed that the rest of the Guild had gotten busy. Ornate rugs were scattered here and there. Tapestries bearing the Guild's symbol—a circle encased by a roughly-drawn diamond—hung from the ceilings at regular intervals. Even a statue of Nocturnal had been erected down here. The place felt less like a rundown hideout and more like a true thieves' den.

I noticed new faces among old ones. Recruits wearing fresh leather armor and bright faces filled with excitement. A few of the veterans waved at us as we walked towards the Guild Master's desk. Some offered congratulations on our marriage and welcomed us back from our trip.

The desk had someone standing at it when we arrived beside it. Karliah was bent over a small book, fingers splayed and hair falling in her face. She looked up when she heard our approach, and hurried to engulf us in a hug.

"So good to see you again, my friends," she said, patting us each on the back. "Have a good trip?"

"We did," I said. "It's good to be home, though."

"Lots of changes, eh, Karliah?" said Bryn, gaze sweeping the room. "What's happened to the place?"

"It's quite simple, Brynjolf: coin flows in, word gets out. Recruits start signing up, equaling more coin, which equals more upgrades. I think you'll find the improvements quite satisfactory."

"And the shrine to the Lady of Shadow..." I said, pointing to the statue across the chamber, "that was your idea?"

She nodded. "All thieves should pay homage to her. She grants us our abilities, after all."

Bryn nodded, gaze settling back on me. "Aye, she does. 'Give credit where credit is due,' I always say."

I raised a brow. "When have you ever said that?"

"Just now. You didn't hear me?"

I rolled my eyes and dragged my hands down my face. "You idiot. Don't be such a child."

"You love it, and you know it."

I ignored his goofy smile, his childish behavior, and turned back to Karliah. "We just heard about Maven. What happened?"

"The prevailing theory is that a Dark Brotherhood assassin came into the house late at night, and she was so scared, she dropped dead before the assassin could touch her. Not a bad theory, except she owned the Brotherhood."

"What do you think happened, then?"

"I believe she was scared to death, but by what, I cannot say."

I tapped my chin with my index finger. "Was there anything else?"

"Yes." She reached towards the desk, pulling a folded letter from a stack of papers. "This was addressed to you. It's the deed to Riftweald Manor."

I took it from her, unfolding it carefully and reading over it. Behind me, Bryn read over my shoulder.

This document hereby states that the bearer is the sole owner and possessor of the domicile currently known as Riftweald Manor.

The bearer has full ownership rights to all of the structures, flora and land within the property borders. The bearer is responsible for all matters pertaining to or occurring on said property.

This document also empowers the bearer transfer rights to reassign the property as he sees fit. The bearer may amend this document to rename the manor by submitting the proper forms and payments to the Jarl of Riften and by filing duplicate forms with the help of the Jarl's steward.

"It was signed by Maven, and it has my name on it," I said, folding the letter back up.

"She really gave you Riftweald, lass," scoffed Bryn, a thin smile on his face. "Even after you said that she severed all ties with the Guild."

"Well, she said she was going to give me Riftweald just to spite me. Looks like she was serious about it."

"Looks like you're the owner now," said Karliah. "You and Brynjolf."

I gave Bryn a look. "What do you think? You've seen Riftweald. Do you reckon we could live there? Raise a family there?"

He pondered for a moment, face thoughtful. Then he nodded. "Aye, I think so. It's just going to need... lots of cleaning."

I sighed. "Of course. I knew there would be a catch." I slipped the deed into my satchel. "Best we get to that now."

Bryn placed a hand on my shoulder. "Hold up, lass. We've got something we have to do first."

My brow furrowed. "What?"

Bryn looked up, and I followed his gaze. We both looked at Del and Vex, who motioned for us to head for the center of the Cistern. "Whenever you're ready, Bryn," said Delvin.

"Ready?" I asked. "For what?"

"It's time to bring the Guild under new management, lass. It's time to make you our Guild Master."