They spent much of the morning in bed, each touch becoming more desperate as time ticked on. As midday approached Liette finally untangled herself from Brynjolf's embrace. She ached from the urgency of their lovemaking, an ache that she told herself she'd soon be missing. They said a hurried goodbye and each went to their separate responsibilities, neither wanting to acknowledge their impending separation.

Making his way out into the streets of Riften, Brynjolf was acutely aware that he was still hungover. Pressing a knuckle to his temple he tried to ignore the pounding in his head. He had originally intended for Vex to go to Solitude in Liette's place but Mercer had put a stop to that. The guildmaster was insistent that Liette was to carry out the job, completely disregarding the time she needed to recover. More and more Mercer's decisions had become vindictive and purposeless. But there was nothing for it, Brynjolf may not have been able to leave with her, but he didn't intend to send her alone. His feet carried him to the cistern in search of Vex.

The cold and damp of the cistern was familiar and comforting. Home, he thought. Even without Liette, he realized. It would be lonely without her but this was still his home, and the guild was still his family. Suddenly he felt ashamed, he had felt so powerless to help the guild for so long. When she had stepped into his life he had neglected his family. But no more. From now on he would have to be much stronger to support the guild and Liette. He crossed the cistern in search of Vex, a new resolve coursing through his veins.

He found Vex poring over a book in a quiet corner of the flagon. She looked up from her reading as he sat down across from her.

"You stink of booze and sex," she stated.

"Nice to see you too, Vex."

Liette prepared to leave for Solitude swiftly. As much as she wanted to stay in Riften too much time had already been lost, if she was to find the person plotting against the guild she couldn't let the trail go cold. Brynjolf was planning to meet her at the stables to say their farewells, the thought of which made her heart ache. She was loading her pack into the back of the carriage when he came striding out with Vex on his tail.

She hopped down from the carriage, confusion written across her face. Brynjolf took her by the shoulder and led her away from the carriage while Vex loaded up a second pack.

"Lass, I know what you're going to say," he said, looking her square in the face. "I can't come with you, but I want someone to be there to help you."

"I understand," she relented. "But I won't ask her to come with me to Ustengrav. I couldn't expect anyone to face that."

"She'll go as far as Solitude with you. Send her back to Riften with any information you get from Gulum-ei if you'll take her no further," he instructed. "As for me, I'm going to keep things running smoothly here."

"And Mercer?" She questioned, hesitantly.

Brynjolf folded his arms across his chest, brows knitting themselves together in irritation. "Delvin and I will find out where he's disappeared to and what he's been doing. It's clear that something is going on, even if we've no notion of what it could mean for the guild."

Liette wanted to ask more but a sharp whistle from Vex cut their conversation short.

"Write me, lass," he said as he pulled her into a hug.

"I will," she whispered, returning his embrace. He planted a lingering kiss on her forehead and stepped back, letting her go.

Brynjolf watched miserably as the carriage disappeared into the distance. When he could no longer see it he resigned himself and headed back through the city gates. He walked quickly and purposefully back to the cemetery, trying all the time to quell the tidal wave of uncertainty he felt. His first order of business was to meet with Delvin and discuss how they were going to figure out what Mercer was up to. Instead he found himself standing aimlessly in the cemetery, remembering all the times he'd talked with Liette here and wondering if he'd ever see her again.

Liette struggled to keep her emotions in check as the carriage trundled along. It wasn't long before she lost sight of Brynjolf and she tried desperately to swallow the lump in her throat. She could feel the tears in her eyes and her determination not to let them fall wasn't enough. She hurriedly wiped them away and glanced quickly at Vex. To her dismay the nord woman was watching her closely and she felt her face burn with shame. Turning her face away she tried to regain her composure. A flash of movement caught her attention. When she looked again, Vex was offering her a handkerchief.

"Thank you," she muttered through her tears. She took the handkerchief and wiped her face gratefully.

"It's the least I could do," Vex said, a bit awkwardly. "I think we got off on the wrong foot."

"I'm sorry I punched you," Liette blurted.

Vex blinked in surprise and began to laugh. Liette laughed along with her and soon her tears had dried.

"I did deserve that one," Vex said when their laughter had died down. "My temper tends to get the better of me sometimes and Brynjolf and I have always butted heads," she admitted.

"He's not exactly cool headed either," Liette offered. She blushed, remembering his passions behind closed doors.

"Aye. Stubborn man," grinned Vex. "On that we can agree."

The rest of the day was spent in pleasant company and Liette found that she enjoyed Vex's company considerably. By the time they made camp they were joking and talking like old friends.

The rest of the trip was spent much the same way. They stayed a night in Whiterun and Liette found herself recounting the events that transpired at Honningbrew Meadery. Vex seemed just as disgusted by her description of Mallus as her account of the skeever nest. She talked about Brynjolf's anger and the strange trip to High Hrothgar. She talked about her worries and her fears and even touched on her feelings for Brynjolf.

And when they reached Solitude a few days later she realized she was sad that the trip was over. It was good to have a friend.