Once we make it upstairs and onto the roof, I'm assaulted by a particularly strong breeze that cuts straight through to the bone.
But I stand strong against it before coming to one of the crenelations where I look down at the progress of the Tower before turning to Karliah who's staring at me with interest.
"So, you going to tell me how you know a secret that's been buried for twenty-five years and how you knew I was involved? And why do you look like that?" Karliah asks as she leans against the Tower's crenelations opposite of me.
"You want a story or just the essentials?" I ask back.
Karliah stands in silence for a moment weighing the options I presented her before answering, "Alright, I'll take the essentials. Stories are for children."
"Good, I'm a man trying to build a legacy for the ages. And to do that, I'm going to need the power and reach of the Thieves Guild. Through a source, I uncovered Mercer has been skimming off the Guild. And I did a little digging and found that he played a part in the untimely demise of the previous Guild Master, Gallus. A Nightingale just like you and Mercer and I've got a plan to get him." I tell her as she seems to already accept that I knew of the existence of the nightingales from my previous notes.
"You've got my interest… What's this plan of yours?" Karliah asks.
"Simple, build up the Guild's influence while making you the thorn in Mercer's side. Discrediting and embarrassing him at every turn. Then, sway Brynjolf to our cause after gathering concrete evidence of his betrayal of the Guild. Once we have his support, we'll go to Nightingale Hall to get Nocturnal's blessing and then we'll be able to take Mercer out, permanently." I explain, giving her a brief outline of my plan.
"Hmmm… Not a bad plan… Maybe marginally better than my own. But, it'll do. What's the first step of your plan?" Karliah asks.
"Well, I had a few minor jobs to do to build up the Guild's presence, but seeing as how I am currently. Why don't you take over these jobs while I focus on getting better at my new home base? Then we can do one of the bigger jobs to piss Mercer off at the Guild's newest rising star." I say with a smile and hold a list of the jobs I've gathered.
"Alright, sounds good. But get better soon. I want Mercer to pay as soon as possible." Karliah says, taking the list and putting it between her boobs before falling backward off the roof with a salute and saying "Till next time. String Bean."
And with that, she disappears into the darkness of the night as she slips from the top of the Tower without a sound.
I look down and see nothing at the base of the Tower before turning back to the stairs and exclaiming in exhaustion, "Fuck me… Could've at least helped me down the stairs."
I decide to spend an hour resting on the roof as the sun's about to come up soon and I could use the nap.
After my nap, I wake up to find my kids surrounding me as well as Sofia, M'rissi, and Inigo, all with expressions of deep concern across their faces before my daughters pile on top of me while Aventus stands aside while trying to hide the concern in his eyes.
"My friend, are you alright?" Inigo asks.
"Yeah, Silvy. You look like shit." Sofia says tactlessly as usual.
"Hmph." M'rissi pouts once she realizes I'm awake and looks away from me angrily.
'Damn… I'm in the dog house… Or would it be the cat house?' I think to myself as I pat Lucia and Sofie's heads reassuringly before speaking up.
"Yeah, I'll be okay. Just a side effect from a spell I got hit with during a fight last night. I'll be okay in a couple of weeks but I've got to take it easy for a while. So I plan to move to Lake View Manor and help with the construction and whatnot for a while." I reassure them.
"Stupid Fluffy! It's not like she was worried about you! You could never worry her!" M'rissi pouts as she stomps down the stairs in a fit of anger.
"Damn, Silvy. What did you do to get Whisker's tail in such a twist?" Sofia asks with interest as Inigo whistles inconspicuously.
"Yeah, Papa. Why is Ms. Mrissi so upset?" Lucia asks innocently as I start to sweat.
"Um…" I try and think of something before Inigo coughs and speaks up.
"Come on kiddos. Your papa made breakfast for you down in the courtyard and it's best if he gets his rest now." Inigo says herding the children downstairs while leaving Sofia and me up on the roof alone.
"So, did you enjoy your little kitty back in Riften? I hear she purred quite loudly." Sofia says with a teasing smile.
"Ughk." I choke slightly before clearing my throat and answering honestly, "Yes I did."
"Good for you Silvy, but seems you and Whiskers are at odds? What'd you do to make that lovestruck kitten so mad?" Sofia asks getting closer to me to help me up from the floor I was resting on.
"I may have… Disappeared into the night with just a note after we did it." I admit as I slowly stand up leaning on Sofia for support.
Sofia innocently tilts her head before asking cheekily, "Doing what Silvy? You're going to have to be more clear."
I roll my eyes as I say in exasperation, "Sex, Sofia. I'm talking about sex. Shoving my cock in M'rissi's pussy until she passed out from pleasure. Does that clarify it for you?"
Sofia's face flushes faintly as she gives me a knowing smile, "Crystal clear... Which reminds me of a certain promise you made."
"Oh? And what was that?" I ask feigning ignorance.
"Just that you'd agree to any~thing I'd ask." Sofia says with a playful lilt to her voice.
"Oh, and what did you think to ask of me?" I ask.
Sofia runs her hands along my arms, which despite their deflated nature still held some power and firmness below the surface before saying, "Something only a big, strong orc can do to- I mean for me." She says with a wink before we go down to the courtyard for breakfast.
Leaving me to my lustful imaginings of what she has planned for after breakfast.