She was looking forward to having something to drink, maybe a pleasant conversation with Brynjolf at the rooftop table. Maybe they would catch a breeze once it began to get dark. She wanted to sleep, soundly, before they went back to Skyrim. As she approached her home she broke into a trot, and started calling out to him even as she pushed the door open.<\/p>\n
\u201cI got it, Bryn!\u00a0 I got the Cowl!\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/4-1-23-0.png\")
<\/p>\n
She caught her breath. His back was to her, and he was wiping his face with a cloth; his long red hair hung down his pale back. Once again she found her pulse accelerating at the sight of him. He may have been ten years her senior, more than forty years old, but he was still as muscular and beautiful as a man half his age.<\/p>\n
He turned around at the sound of the door and smiled. \u00a0Sayma gasped. He\u2019d trimmed his beard back, almost completely off.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m glad you\u2019re back in one piece. I hope you don\u2019t mind that I\u2019m running about the place topless.”\u00a0 He rubbed his hand over his chin. \u201cCouldn\u2019t get the sand out without making mud of it, so the next best choice was to cut most of it off. It\u2019ll be back by tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sayma approached him and without thinking, reached up to run her fingers down his cheek. It hadn\u2019t been her imagination. He did look younger.\u00a0 She remembered how he had been when she first met him, his skin rough with fatigue and lack of care. He had looked older then, and angrier.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou look younger than me. How can it be, Brynjolf? How can you look younger now than you did two years ago?\u201d<\/p>\n
He shrugged. \u201cI don\u2019t know. I think it was something about being a vampire. I changed, over the course of a few months. What do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n
She couldn\u2019t keep the smile off her face. \u201cI think you\u2019re glorious,\u201d she breathed quietly.<\/p>\n
What am I doing? He doesn\u2019t want this kind of attention. We\u2019re here to rescue his old flame from the Soul Cairn, nothing more.<\/em><\/p>\n But he smiled at her, his eyes gentle.<\/p>\n \u201cTruly? I always wondered what Andante saw in me, how he looked past the ratty old thief. \u00a0All I need is to put the warrior\u2019s braid back in my hair and I\u2019d look like I did when I was a young man. I never really earned the braid, of course, but I wore one just to spite my father, mostly.\u201d He chuckled. \u201cDynny liked it, though.\u201d<\/p>\n Sayma\u2019s heart fell. Here he is, talking about his men. How can I compete with that?<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cOh! You distracted me, and I almost forgot. Take a look!\u201d She pulled the Cowl out of her pack and handed it to him. \u201cI sure hope it will have been worth everything it took to get it. We can go home now and find Nocturnal, and if she honors her word\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf examined the Gray Cowl carefully, turning it over and over in his hands. \u201cIt\u2019s Daedric all right.\u201d Then he chuckled. \u201cI\u2019d try it on but after all your nice words I don\u2019t think I want to look like someone else right now.\u201d<\/p>\n Sayma wasn\u2019t sure what she had expected to happen next, but it certainly wasn\u2019t the thing that actually did happen.<\/p>\n He approached her, smiling, took her hood and cape from her, and placed them on a chair along with the Cowl. \u201cHere, let me take those.\u201d He relieved Sayma of her swords and put them aside as well, and then to her complete shock, slowly began unfastening the gauntlets she wore.<\/p>\n \u201cBryn, what\u2026?\u201d she started to ask; but he shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cHush.\u201d<\/p>\n He finished removing her gauntlets, and gave her a small smile before turning to place them on the chair as well.\u00a0 Then he moved back to the table, on which rested a bowl of water from the keg, and moistened a cloth in it.<\/p>\n \u201cHere. This will feel better,\u201d he said quietly, taking her hands one at a time and washing them off. It did<\/em> feel better, too; she was hot, and sticky, and tired, and it seemed as though this was the first bit of gentleness she\u2019d experienced in a very long time.<\/p>\n Sayma couldn\u2019t move.\u00a0 She was mesmerized by the look of him, by not knowing what he was thinking.\u00a0 She\u2019d been hoping, wildly hoping, that the encounter they\u2019d begun in the Crypt was not the only one they would ever have again.\u00a0 But she didn\u2019t deserve to make a move. She didn\u2019t have the right. She needed to wait, and watch, and see.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know,\u201d he said softly as he wiped her hands and arms, \u201cit means so much that you would do all this for Dynjyl. More than I have words for. I know it must have been hard to learn about him the way you did, right after finding out about Andante. I know you saw how we were together, even briefly, and it must have been a shock.\u201d<\/p>\n She frowned. \u201cWell if I\u2019m being honest\u2026 yes it was. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHush now. No apologies. I understand.\u201d He grinned, a lopsided smile. \u201cIt\u2019s like I told you before. I started out just wanting to use him, and it ended with him leaving me breathless. But do you know what?\u201d<\/p>\n Sayma wanted to cry. It was too hard to hear. But she swallowed hard and did her best to hide the hurt.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. What?\u201d<\/p>\n He smiled again, and stepped closer.<\/p>\n \u201cSo do you. And you always have.\u201d\u00a0 And with that he leaned down and kissed her, gently at first, then nipping at her lower lip before returning his attentions to her armor. He slid it down from her shoulders first, slowly and carefully, and then eased her arms out of its sleeves. He washed her, gently, taking a moment to kiss each palm and the inner surface of each elbow, slipping her warm glances every so often. It felt wonderful to be cool, and clean, and yet the longer he took, the warmer she felt.<\/p>\n I wasn\u2019t imagining things. That kiss in the crypt wasn\u2019t just a fluke. He wants me still.<\/em><\/p>\n She started to kick at her boots, to get them off quickly, and he shook his head and smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cWait.\u201d<\/p>\n He knelt in front of her and carefully pulled the boots off, stopping after each to massage the foot that had been in it.\u00a0 She had to fight back a groan when he pressed his heavy thumbs into her instep, watching her face as he released the tight spots there and along the base of her toes. Finally, he worked the legs of her armor down, and over each foot, taking an exquisitely tantalizing amount of time on each, washing and drying her as he went.<\/p>\n One of his large, warm hands trailed up her leg, along the inside of her thigh, as he rose from the floor. By the time he was fully standing, facing her, she was trembling.<\/p>\n He stepped closer, and smiled once more.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been too long, lass. I hoped maybe you got the message while we were in the crypt but\u2026\u201d His free arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her nearer, softly.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you say? Should we try it again?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBryn.\u201d\u00a0 Words failed her, utterly; the smile on his face said everything she\u2019d hoped to hear since the day they\u2019d first seen each other again. She was certain that her smile held the same sort of words.\u00a0 So instead of saying anything, she pressed herself against him, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.<\/p>\n When she\u2019d lived with him, in Riften, he\u2019d always been rough. They had always seemed to be in a hurry, even if they had spent plenty of time. There had always been a hunger between them that rarely if ever was sated.\u00a0 But on this evening, Brynjolf was slow, and gentle, and calm; and he seemed a very different man than the one she\u2019d last made love with on the night she had left him behind.<\/p>\n He is<\/em> a different man in many ways, she thought when at last they were finished and resting together on the narrow bed in the tiny house.\u00a0 He\u2019s had so many things happen to him.\u00a0 He feels more complete.<\/p>\n \u201cLass.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWas that alright?\u201d<\/p>\n She chuckled. \u201cBrynjolf, I feel limp. I don\u2019t believe I could move even if it was an emergency.\u201d She turned her head to smile at him and to take in the smile in his brilliant green eyes.<\/p>\n He looked up at the ceiling and smiled, then sighed a contented sigh.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, lass.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Red.\u201d<\/p>\n He turned and grinned at her, and for a moment she saw the mischievous man of twenty looking out from his eyes.<\/p>\n He called me lass.<\/em><\/p>\n They slept for a long time, after that, both of them exhausted from the stress and uncertainty and, at least in her case, fear. The next morning they rose early, gathered as much of the treasure as they could carry, secured the Cowl, and stepped out into the warm, dry day.<\/p>\n It\u2019s time.<\/em><\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n They stood together before the Ebonmere. Brynjolf had called out to Nocturnal, but thus far they\u2019d had no response.\u00a0 Sayma stood well back in the shadows, shifting from leg to leg.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t mind telling you that I\u2019m a bit nervous, Bryn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m the missing Nightingale. The one she thinks isn\u2019t whole. She could ruin me where I stand.\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf frowned.\u00a0 \u201cShe could, but she\u2019d better not even think about it.\u201d He raised his voice. \u201cDo you hear me, Nocturnal? You\u2019d better not even think about harming a hair on her head. We got your damned Cowl. She<\/em> got it. Here it is.\u201d\u00a0 He pulled it out of a pocket and laid it on the edge of the Ebonmere\u2019s dark stones.<\/p>\n A musical, disembodied voice chuckled.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, Brynjolf,\u201d Nocturnal said, \u201cyou know we have a bargain. An agreement. A contract, the terms of which were settled long ago.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAye.\u201d<\/p>\n Nocturnal chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cNever one for ceremony, are you.\u00a0 That\u2019s just as well. It\u2019s what makes you unique.\u00a0 I promised you something in return for the Cowl.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou did. And I expect you to deliver.\u201d<\/p>\n Sayma caught a flicker of light off to her right and turned to find herself staring up into the face of a handsome man who could only be one person in the universe.\u00a0 He gazed at her in a slightly amused and detached way, his eyes crinkling at the corners.<\/p>\n \u201cYou must be Dynjyl,\u201d she whispered, smiling. \u201cI\u2019m so happy to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I am.\u201d\u00a0 He looked her over and nodded. \u201cAnd you are Brynjolf\u2019s special person. I can tell.\u201d<\/p>\n Sayma shook her head. \u201cWell I don\u2019t know about that, but\u2026\u201d She grinned, and raised her voice. \u201cBryn. Turn around.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHello, my dear,\u201d Dynjyl called out.\u00a0 Brynjolf turned to look and a slow smile spread across his face.<\/p>\n \u201cDynny!\u201d Brynjolf\u2019s voice rose with happiness. \u201cYou\u2019re here! You\u2019re actually free.\u201d<\/p>\n Sayma did her best to fade into the shadows, so that the two men could speak. She watched Brynjolf\u2019s eyes, watched them warming with affection, and saw Dynjyl\u2019s reflecting that same emotion.\u00a0 And she found herself surprised by the conclusion she reached, looking at them.<\/p>\n They loved each other once. They still care for each other but it\u2019s not really love, not any more. It\u2019s just warm memories and mutual admiration.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYes I am. Isn\u2019t it wonderful? I don\u2019t have long to be here, Brynjolf, but I\u2019m glad to see you one more time.\u00a0 Nocturnal has granted me entry to the Evergloam and I am very ready to rest.\u201d He turned to smile at Sayma, and then back to Brynjolf.<\/p>\n Dynjyl\u2019s sharp and crisp tones softened, and a brilliant smile broke across his face.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have no idea what this feels like, Bryn. I\u2019ve spent so long, so very many years, just assuming I would spend all the rest of days in the Soul Cairn.\u00a0 I had reconciled myself to that, and it was fine. But this, Bryn. To rest. Finally, to rest. It is such a gift. I am so grateful. You did this for me, both of you, and I have no adequate words. Thank you so much. For everything, now and\u2026 then.\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cAndante was the one who realized there might be a way for you to leave the Soul Cairn. Sayma was the one who made it to Hammerfell to get the Cowl back.\u201d\u00a0 He shook his head. \u201cDynny, I wish it had all been different.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot this again, my foolish love. You and I were fortunate to meet when we did. I was the luckiest man in all of Tamriel that day.\u201d His eyes shone.<\/p>\n \u201cI felt that way too. I think you know that.\u201d<\/p>\n Dynjyl smiled. \u201cI know you did. We had our time together, and it was perfect. It lasted as long as it was meant to last.\u00a0 I wouldn\u2019t have changed it for anything.\u00a0 But it\u2019s been done for a long time now, Bryn. You know that.\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf looked at him, sadly, and nodded.\u00a0 \u201cAye.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo. In spite of that, you\u2019ve given me the greatest gift anyone has ever given me. I\u2019m free.\u00a0 Perhaps\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He paused, shrugged his shoulders.<\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps what, lad?\u201d<\/p>\n Dynjyl smiled. It was a joyful smile, one that encompassed their past, and their present, and their future. Sayma\u2019s heart ached at the bittersweet moment that it was. More sweet than bitter, she thought, but poignant all the same.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve learned things in the past little while, Brynjolf, about the Evergloam and what it means to become one with it. Things I never had a chance to learn from the Guild while I was alive. Perhaps you could visit my wife, one day, and explain to her that I will be there, and happy. You are one of three people in the world best equipped to do so.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled again. \u201cAnd tell her that I wish her to be happy as well, and always have.\u201d<\/p>\n Sayma spoke, quietly, from behind them.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll see it done, Dynjyl.\u00a0 You deserve that, and so does she.\u201d<\/p>\n Dynjyl turned to her, nodded, and smiled. \u201cThank you. And please, take care of Brynjolf for me.\u201d<\/p>\n Then he turned to face Brynjolf once again. \u201cNow then. You\u2019ve been trying to convince yourself that it was your fault I died, for all these years, even though you know it was my carelessness that was the real cause. It is time for you to let go of that, my dear boy.\u00a0 You\u2019ve done what you could do, and now I can rest.\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf opened and closed his mouth several times, starting to speak and not being able to voice the words. He stepped near to Dynjyl and reached out, then dropped his hand when he realized what he was doing. When he spoke, his voice was unsteady.<\/p>\n \u201cI know with my mind that it was nobody\u2019s fault, Dynny. Not really. It was just a thing that happened. But my heart will never stop telling me that I should have been able to keep you safe.\u201d He shook his head and expelled a deep breath. \u00a0He gave Dynjyl a small smile and spoke again, firmly. \u201cI wish you didn\u2019t have to go. But I\u2019m happy that you are at peace. Finally. Rest well, my friend. Eyes open, Dynjyl. Walk with the shadows.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGoodbye, my dear. I will see you again when it is your time to come to the Evergloam.\u201d<\/p>\n Sayma found her mind replaying the moment when Gallus had told Karliah much the same thing. She had to fight to suppress a sob.<\/p>\n Dynjyl smiled at both of them, then turned and stepped into the deep, deep blue and was no more.<\/p>\n Brynjolf stood staring into the pool of unfathomable magic energies, his head down and his hands clasped before him.\u00a0 Sayma watched him for any sign of distress, of pain; but there was nothing.\u00a0 After a few moments he sighed, quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cWell. It\u2019s done. I guess that\u2019s that, lass. I thought maybe it would be something more. After all this time of wondering about him, thinking about him, it\u2019s simply done. Just like that, he\u2019s at rest, just like those spirits in Hammerfell. And it was because of you. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n Sayma approached him and laid a hand on his shoulder, tentatively. Even following their beautiful previous evening she wasn\u2019t certain how familiar she could be, where the line might still lie.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Bryn. You know that if you hadn\u2019t come to see Nocturnal first, none of it would have come about.\u00a0 And it was just as you told Dynjyl.\u00a0 It was Andante who\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was Andante who did what now, did you say?\u201d<\/p>\n The amused Imperial voice coming from behind them had both Sayma and Brynjolf whirling, their mouths falling open.\u00a0 Sayma was nearest the figure that stood leaning on one leg, his hands on his hips.\u00a0 She stared at his glowing spectral form, unable to quite believe what she was seeing.<\/p>\n \u201cAndante?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVitus, if you please, Sayma,\u201d he said, grinning. \u201cOr I could call you Dagnell if you\u2019d prefer, Listener. Vitus Perdeti, of Bravil, most recently of Riften and Solitude and Castle Volkihar. At your service, as ever.\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf moved forward one trembling step after another, and stopped a good distance away from them. For just a moment Sayma was afraid she was going to need to support him.<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Oh gods. Is it really you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHello, loverboy.\u201dHe stood beaming at Brynjolf. \u201cAs you see, it is I.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow? How is this even possible?\u00a0 I thought that\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Exactly, Sayma thought, watching the two of them approach each other. How is it possible? He was a pile of ash. He was dead. He was a vampire. I thought he was gone, just completely gone. <\/em><\/p>\n Vitus laughed. \u201cSo did I, frankly. I never expected to see, hear or feel anything more after the sun rose that morning. I was more than just a little bit stunned to wake up and find myself being circled by Durnheviir and Dynny \u2013 who has taken good care of me in the interim, I might add. I didn\u2019t really think there was anything left of me to go anywhere, much less the Soul Cairn. Or if there had been something left of me I\u2019d have expected to be one of those wisp things flitting about like an annoying ancestor moth. Glimmering.\u201d He grinned. \u201cAnd once I realized I was there I certainly never expected to be set free again. But here I am.\u201d<\/p>\n He leaned forward slightly and peered at Sayma, then back at Brynjolf, and chuckled. \u201cOho. Someone\u2019s looking content. I see that things are going well for you two? Bravo!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVitus!\u201d Sayma snorted, feeling herself flushing. \u201cStendarr\u2019s balls. Not even death improved you?\u201d\u00a0 He grinned at her, waggling his eyebrows.<\/p>\n \u201cBrynjolf,\u201d Nocturnal\u2019s disembodied chuckle rippled through the room. \u201cSurely you realize that I am able to converse with other entities such as myself. As I suspected, neither Sithis nor Molag Bal was particularly attached to the soul of Vitus Perdeti. Sithis was annoyed with him that he never truly believed, and Molag Bal was strictly indifferent. I convinced them that what was left of him was not worth bickering over, and that I had use for him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt still makes no sense,\u201d Brynjolf breathed. \u201cI thought that you had given up all of yourself, as a vampire.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHave you not felt Vitus Perdeti with you, all of this time, my Nightingale?\u201d Nocturnal said, clearly amused. \u201cI thought you more perceptive than that.\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf\u2019s brow furrowed. \u201cI don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n Vitus grinned. \u201cDidn\u2019t you feel me help you slit those mage\u2019s throats when you were travelling with Roggi? Even Roggi noticed. It seems that I put a little more of myself into that ring than we\u2019d imagined, loverboy.\u00a0 It anchored me, for lack of a better word. At least, it kept me out of the Void.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI did notice that, but it\u2019s not exactly unusual to imagine someone\u2019s presence once they\u2019re gone. I didn\u2019t think any more of it than that. I\u2019m\u2026 glad.\u00a0 I\u2019m very glad.\u201d Brynjolf shook his head. \u201cI\u2019m still having a hard time to believe my eyes, but here you are. But there\u2019s something I need to know.\u201d<\/p>\n He took one step closer to the shade and looked him in the eyes. \u201cWhy did you do it, lad?\u00a0 Why? That\u2019s what I don\u2019t understand. You could have gotten away.\u00a0 I would have helped you. There weren\u2019t that many of them. We could have run. Between the two of us we could have taken out the entire city if you\u2019d wanted it. All you needed to do was ask. And not cure me. I would have\u2026\u201d he trailed off and shook his head. \u201cYou know I would have.\u201d<\/p>\n Vitus looked down and smiled. Several moments passed, several long heartbeats, before he finally spoke, quietly and seriously.<\/p>\n \u201cBryn. You know I had to leave, if you\u2019re honest with yourself. Think about who I am, loverboy.\u00a0 Not Andante, but \u2026 me.\u00a0 The man they were hunting.\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t stay in the world. I shouldn\u2019t have been in it in the first place.\u201d\u00a0 He shrugged. \u201cI know that sounds harsh. My father, according to anyone who could bring themselves to talk to me about him, was pure evil.\u00a0 If he hadn\u2019t been, I wouldn\u2019t have existed. That\u2019s all I ever knew about him. I shouldn\u2019t have existed. I never had anyone to show me how a man really ought to live. The Listener \u2013 Alisanne \u2013 she tried. She gave me a little bit of an anchor, for awhile, but she died and I was just a \u2026 a monster. That\u2019s who I was until the Thalmor knocked the memories out of me.\u201d<\/p>\n He looked up at Brynjolf and grinned. \u201cBut you showed me that there was a different way to be, loverboy.\u00a0 Oh didn\u2019t we have fun.\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf nodded, sadly. \u201cWe did.\u201d Then he chuckled. \u201cWe certainly did.\u201d<\/p>\n Vitus grinned back at him, but then turned serious. \u201cI would have ended up hurting all of us. I could feel it, even while we were all standing outside on the beach that day, and my mind was showing me all the ways I could kill everyone in sight. I don\u2019t believe I could have stopped myself from doing worse and worse things. I wanted to stop the sun, and I wanted\u2026 well, you saw what I did at the fort, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf nodded. \u201cYou killed them all, lad. Every last one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. That. That kind of thing is what I would have ended up doing. I know it. It was only a matter of time. I thought about what to do for days, before the end, and decided there was only one way to prevent it \u2013 let them catch me. They never would have otherwise. And then seeing your son was the deciding factor. I didn\u2019t want to end up hurting you. Any of you. It\u2019s better this way, Bryn. Trust me.\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf looked at him with a sad smile. \u201cI think I don\u2019t have a choice in the matter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. And I apologize for taking the choice away from you; but my love, I have known from the first day we were together that the person you really belong with is standing over there.\u201d He inclined his head toward Sayma, who had moved to the far side of the room. \u201cYes. I tried to convince myself otherwise, but I really always knew it. And now all of it is done, and that means that now I have to leave. I\u2019m going to the Evergloam.\u201d<\/p>\n He stepped forward and smiled. \u201cDamn, I wish I could touch you. I want to tell you something, though. It didn\u2019t hurt, after the first few moments, standing in the sun. I thought it would, but I didn\u2019t even know it was happening.\u00a0 And it\u2019s been fine, since then. Dynny and I have been keeping each other company. I told you, I like him. I don\u2019t know that I\u2019ve ever had a friend before, you know?\u00a0 Like you and Roggi. Friends. No other entanglements. I\u2019ve been helping him with the bone men and such. And we\u2019ve been telling tales about you behind your back.\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf raised one eyebrow, and Vitus laughed at him, then sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cBut it\u2019s time, my love. I\u2019m tired. Nocturnal agreed to take both of us, thanks to you and Sayma. So don\u2019t be sad, loverboy.\u00a0 When your time comes to join us in the Evergloam we\u2019ll all be together.\u201d<\/p>\n It was quiet for a moment, except for Brynjolf, standing with his head down, clearing his throat.\u00a0 Then a soft voice broke the silence.<\/p>\n \u201cI have to leave, Brynjolf.\u201d\u00a0 Vitus moved to stand in front of Brynjolf.\u00a0 Brynjolf raised his head and spoke in a hushed voice.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s too soon. I don\u2019t want you to go. I never thought I\u2019d see you again, Andante.\u201d\u00a0 He stopped, and shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cVitus,\u201d he said softly. \u201cIt\u2019s Vitus Perdeti. It feels good to use my real name. Makes me feel\u2026 whole.\u201d He chuckled. \u201cEven though it has a lot of baggage that comes with it. And remember, Bryn. Vitus only loved one person in his entire life.\u00a0 Listen, I don\u2019t know what that says about me, but I know what it says about you. It says that you are a very special man, Brynjolf, that you keep giving and giving even when life is harsh to you,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cYou keep getting back up and trying again, and sharing yourself, and that\u2019s an incredible gift.\u00a0 I feel fortunate to have experienced even a little bit of it.\u201d<\/p>\n He stepped toward Brynjolf and reached up toward his face.\u00a0 His spectral hand passed through Brynjolf\u2019s very human skin as though it didn\u2019t exist at all, and he sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cDamn. I was hoping I could touch you once more, but\u2026 oh well. Bryn. You are so much more than I could ever have dreamed of being, no matter how strong I was.\u00a0 But I tried, my love. I tried to be the best I could for you because you are worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n He stepped back and moved toward the portal.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Listener,\u201d he said, inclining his head toward Sayma. \u201cFor everything.\u201d Then he leaned in a bit closer. \u201cPlease, take care of him for me. You\u2019re the only other person who loves him as much as I do.\u201d<\/p>\n Sayma smiled. \u201cYou know I will, my friend. And you will not be forgotten. I miss having you around. But I\u2019m surely happy that you\u2019re going to be there saving us a seat.\u201d<\/p>\n He laughed, and turned to go.<\/p>\n \u201cWait. Vitus.\u201d Brynjolf called. \u201cI need to say something to you before you go.\u201d<\/p>\n Vitus stopped short, clearly startled by hearing Brynjolf call out to him with his true name. He turned back to face Brynjolf and stepped closer. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf\u2019s voice, when it came, was low and, to Sayma\u2019s ears, the sweetest sound in the world.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s\u2026 something really important. You were wrong, you know. All of that time. You thought that you didn\u2019t mean that much to me.\u00a0 You were wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n There was a long pause.\u00a0 Finally, Vitus spoke up, quiet, without any hint of the bravado he\u2019d layered on during his life.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you saying?\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf smiled at him, the soft smile Sayma knew and adored on those rare occasions when it made its appearance.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m saying, Vitus Perdeti, you damned fool, that I have loved you. I wish I\u2019d been able to tell you that while you were alive, but I couldn\u2019t. I don\u2019t know why. I tried to show you, lad, and it\u2019s clear that I failed.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry. But at least take the words with you now. I have so dearly loved you. You\u2019ll always be with me. Here,\u201d he added, touching his chest. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter what your name is, or what you did before we met. There\u2019s never been anyone else like you in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n There was a very long pause before the ghost of the man who had been Andante spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cNot even Dynny?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot even Dynny, as much as he meant to me. And you know how much he meant to me.\u201d<\/p>\n Vitus was silent for a moment.\u00a0 \u201cYou know, those last few weeks\u2026 I kept thinking that it felt special. Like something else. Oh, Bryn.\u201d He sighed, and then smiled. \u201cThank you. Thank you, my love. That is such a gift. I \u2013 I truly thought that nobody ever cared for me.\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf shook his head. \u201cI know you thought that. But you were wrong.\u00a0 I did. Even when you made me crazy, I did.\u00a0 Remember all those moments, Vitus, and you will know that I did.\u201d<\/p>\n Vitus\u2019 eyes shone, even through the shimmering aspect of a spirit. He was quiet for several moments. Three, perhaps four long heartbeats went by before he smiled and breathed a contented sigh.<\/p>\n \u201cBrynjolf, for probably the first time ever I don\u2019t want to make a fool of myself. I have to go now,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u00a0 Rest easy, Vitus.\u00a0 And thank you. For everything.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re welcome, loverboy,\u201d Vitus said with a smile. \u201cAnd thank you. Eyes open, and walk with the shadows.\u201d<\/p>\n And he shimmered, and disappeared.<\/p>\n It was silent for a moment.\u00a0 Sayma felt dampness on her cheeks and reached up to find that the emotions she\u2019d been suppressing had found their way out through her eyes, in spite of her best efforts.\u00a0 She was wiping them when the energies from the Ebonmere surged, and Nocturnal rose to hover above it.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Nightingales,\u201d she said. \u201cYou\u2019ve achieved your goals, and satisfied mine. Your friends are safe in the Evergloam, and my Nightingales once more are a trinity. I bid you farewell for now.\u00a0 Give my regards to Karliah, and do not give me cause to see you again soon, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n Sayma bowed her head in acquiescence as Nocturnal sank into the Evergloam and disappeared. She watched Brynjolf for a moment, and then stepped forward to speak to him.<\/p>\n \u201cBryn.\u00a0 I think we should go now.\u201d<\/p>\n He nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was\u2026 not something I expected,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u00a0 I\u2019m glad you got a chance to tell him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you?\u201d<\/p>\n She slipped her arms around his waist.\u00a0 He was warm, and solid, and everything that she wanted in the world.<\/p>\n \u201cYes. Yes I am glad.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026\u201d he started to speak, but his voice caught.\u00a0 His arms came down around her shoulders.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s ok, you know. If you need to cry. I understand.\u201d<\/p>\n He pushed her back, gently, and smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. I don\u2019t need to cry. I loved him, you know? I truly did.\u00a0 We needed each other, for that time.\u00a0 He\u2019ll always be a part of me, just like Dynny is.\u00a0 But that, right there, that \u2026 was what I needed. \u00a0To say the words. To finish things. To put things right.\u201d<\/p>\n He dropped his arms, but reached out and took one of Sayma\u2019s hands in his.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we should go now. What do you say?\u201d<\/p>\n She nodded, and smiled at him. \u201cThat sounds good. Let\u2019s go be with Dar, and Roggi, and the rest of the family.\u00a0 I need to be around the living for a change, how about you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAye.\u201d\u00a0 He stopped, and looked down at the portal, and laughed. \u201cLook at that, would you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d\u00a0 Sayma glanced down at the stones and saw what he was looking at: a drab, lumpy wad of gray cloth with purple lettering.<\/p>\n \u201cShe left the gods-damned Cowl behind,\u201d Brynjolf snickered.\u00a0 \u201cOn purpose, no doubt. Grab it. It might come in handy some day.\u201d<\/p>\n Sayma stared at him for a moment, and then giggled.\u00a0 \u201cAlright then.\u201d<\/p>\n It was sweltering outside. Even as dry as the air was, Sayma was uncomfortable as she walked back down the street toward the tiny home in Ben Erai. Without thinking about it she removed her hood and began to unfasten her armor at the neck. I don\u2019t know what I did to get so overheated. … <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/4-1-23-1.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/4-1-23-2.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/4-1-23-3.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/4-1-23-4.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/4-1-23-5.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/4-1-23-6.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/4-1-23-7.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/4-1-23-8.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/4-1-23-9.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/4-1-23-10.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/4-1-23-11.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/4-1-23-12.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/4-1-23-13.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/4-1-23-14.png\")
<\/p>\n